Level 3 Exam-Pattern Test — Academic Writing Grammar
8 Questions • 15 min • Chapter MCQ
15:00
Question 1 of 8
Choose the most appropriately hedged claim.
Social media destroys attention spans.
Social media may contribute to a decline in attention spans.
Social media has 100% ruined attention.
Everyone knows social media is terrible.
Explanation: Modal hedge + precise cause-effect.
Question 2 of 8
Which citation verb implies the writer's disagreement with a source?
observes
describes
questions
states
Explanation: 'questions' signals doubt/disagreement.
Question 3 of 8
Rewrite impersonally and cautiously: 'I'm sure the policy worked.'
The policy appears to have been effective.
The policy worked, I'm sure.
I personally know the policy worked.
Everyone says the policy worked.
Explanation: Impersonal + hedge ('appears to have been').
Question 4 of 8
Choose the correct cause-effect structure: 'The decline ___ several interrelated factors.'
is attributed to
attributes
results
leads
Explanation: 'is attributed to' = is caused by (passive).
Question 5 of 8
Which sentence best balances claim and caution?
The results prove the hypothesis beyond doubt.
The results lend some support to the hypothesis, though further study is needed.
The results obviously confirm everything.
The results say the hypothesis is right.
Explanation: Measured claim with a caveat.
Question 6 of 8
Choose the precise comparison phrase: 'Group A improved markedly; ___, Group B showed no change.'
by contrast
for example
in addition
as a result
Explanation: 'by contrast' marks the difference.
Question 7 of 8
Identify the over-claim that needs hedging: 'This single study confirms that the drug cures the disease.'
confirms … cures → suggests … may help treat
single → multiple
study → research
no change needed
Explanation: A single study cannot 'confirm a cure'; hedge it.
Question 8 of 8
Which reporting structure correctly cites a source's argument?
Mehta (2022) argues that the reform was premature.
Mehta (2022) argue that the reform was premature.
Mehta (2022) arguing the reform premature.
Mehta (2022), the reform was premature argues.
Explanation: 'Author (year) argues that …' is the standard citation pattern.