Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1............... of the evidence, the author stops short of claiming a direct causal link between the policy and the outcome.
Wrong!
The phrase "On balance" means after considering the evidence on both sides.
2The paper ............... assumes that correlation implies causation, which weakens its central argument.
Wrong!
The adverb "unwittingly" shows that the paper makes the assumption without realizing it.
3............... speaking, the conclusion is defensible, but the methodology is underpowered.
Wrong!
The phrase "Strictly" speaking introduces a precise or carefully limited judgement.
4The reviewer ............... notes that the argument relies on a contested definition of harm.
Wrong!
The adverb "cautiously" shows that the reviewer is careful and restrained.
5The author frames the claim as ..............., thereby distancing herself from full endorsement.
Wrong!
The phrase "a working hypothesis" presents the claim as tentative rather than fully endorsed.
6............... the limitations, the study offers a credible starting point for further inquiry.
Wrong!
The linker "Notwithstanding" introduces a contrast with the limitations already mentioned.
7The discussion is ............... speculative, and the author repeatedly flags the need for replication.
Wrong!
The adverb "overtly" means the speculation is clear and open.
8The report ............... that the minister acted unlawfully, instead implying procedural negligence.
Wrong!
The phrase "stops short of alleging" means the report avoids making the stronger accusation.
9The author ............... a neutral tone, yet the repeated scare quotes betray scepticism.
Wrong!
The phrase "affects to adopt" means pretends or appears to take on a neutral tone.
10The conclusion is presented as ..............., which makes the recommendation sound less dogmatic.
Wrong!
The phrase "a tentative inference" signals a cautious conclusion rather than a dogmatic one.
11The author ............... that the data are incomplete, but argues they are sufficient for a preliminary claim.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The verbs "acknowledges" and "concedes" both accept a limitation before making a further argument.
12In the final paragraph, the writer ............... the opposing view, then dismantles it point by point.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
The phrases "steelmans" and "summarises charitably" both mean presents the opposing view fairly before rebutting it.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- On balance of the evidence, the author stops short of claiming a direct causal link between the policy and the outcome.
- The paper unwittingly assumes that correlation implies causation, which weakens its central argument.
- Strictly speaking, the conclusion is defensible, but the methodology is underpowered.
- The reviewer cautiously notes that the argument relies on a contested definition of harm.
- The author frames the claim as a working hypothesis, thereby distancing herself from full endorsement.
- Notwithstanding the limitations, the study offers a credible starting point for further inquiry.
- The discussion is overtly speculative, and the author repeatedly flags the need for replication.
- The report stops short of alleging that the minister acted unlawfully, instead implying procedural negligence.
- The author affects to adopt a neutral tone, yet the repeated scare quotes betray scepticism.
- The conclusion is presented as a tentative inference, which makes the recommendation sound less dogmatic.
- The author acknowledges / concedes that the data are incomplete, but argues they are sufficient for a preliminary claim.
- In the final paragraph, the writer steelmans / summarises charitably the opposing view, then dismantles it point by point.
