Hedging and cautious language (C2) — упражнения по английскому с ответами

Softening claims with modal verbs, tentative verbs, adverbs and impersonal structures in academic and professional English

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1
Выбор ответа
Which sentence is the most appropriately hedged for an academic paper?
These results would seem to indicate a correlation between sleep and memory.These results prove that sleep improves memory.Everyone knows that sleep improves memory.Would seem to indicate presents the conclusion cautiously, as academic writing expects.
2
Выбор ответа
Choose the most tentative way to disagree with a colleague.
I'm not entirely convinced that this is the best approach.This is the wrong approach.You're mistaken about this.Not entirely convinced softens disagreement while keeping it clear.
3
Выбор ответа
It be argued that the policy has had the opposite effect to the one intended.
couldmustwillshouldIt could be argued that... is a standard impersonal hedge: it introduces a view without fully committing to it.
4
Выбор ответа
Which adverb hedges the claim most strongly?
The scheme was arguably a success.The scheme was undoubtedly a success.The scheme was clearly a success.Arguably means 'there are reasons to believe' — it admits that others may disagree. Undoubtedly and clearly are boosters.
5
Пропуск
There to be a link between screen time and poor sleep, although further research is needed.
appearsismustprovesТакже засчитывается: seemsThere appears / seems to be... reports evidence without claiming certainty.
6
Пропуск
The figures suggest that demand is slowing, but it is too early to be sure.
maymustwilldoТакже засчитывается: might, couldMay (might, could) softens a claim to a possibility.
7
Пропуск
To the best of our , this is the first study of its kind.
knowledgeknowingknownacknowledgementTo the best of our knowledge... admits that we may have missed something.
8
Пропуск
The new drug to reduce symptoms in the majority of patients tested.
tendedprovedalwayswasТакже засчитывается: tends, appeared, seemedTend to describes a general pattern rather than an absolute rule.
9
Пропуск
It is widely that the reforms will reduce inequality, though some economists remain sceptical.
Ответ: believedТакже засчитывается: thought, assumed, expectedIt is widely believed that... reports a common view without the writer adopting it.
10
Верно / неверно
In academic writing, 'This proves beyond doubt that...' is usually safer than 'This suggests that...'.
Ответ: НеверноAcademic writing prefers cautious claims: overclaiming can be easily challenged.
11
Верно / неверно
'To some extent' and 'in most cases' are both ways of limiting the scope of a claim.
Ответ: ВерноBoth phrases make it clear that the claim is not universal.
12
Вопрос для разговора
Rewrite this claim in cautious academic style: 'Social media makes teenagers depressed.'
Пример ответа: There would appear to be an association between heavy social media use and depressive symptoms in some teenagers, although it remains unclear whether one causes the other.

Softening claims with modal verbs, tentative verbs, adverbs and impersonal structures in academic and professional English

1
Выбор ответа
Which sentence is the most appropriately hedged for an academic paper?
These results would seem to indicate a correlation between sleep and memory.These results prove that sleep improves memory.Everyone knows that sleep improves memory.Would seem to indicate presents the conclusion cautiously, as academic writing expects.
2
Выбор ответа
Choose the most tentative way to disagree with a colleague.
I'm not entirely convinced that this is the best approach.This is the wrong approach.You're mistaken about this.Not entirely convinced softens disagreement while keeping it clear.
3
Выбор ответа
It be argued that the policy has had the opposite effect to the one intended.
couldmustwillshouldIt could be argued that... is a standard impersonal hedge: it introduces a view without fully committing to it.
4
Выбор ответа
Which adverb hedges the claim most strongly?
The scheme was arguably a success.The scheme was undoubtedly a success.The scheme was clearly a success.Arguably means 'there are reasons to believe' — it admits that others may disagree. Undoubtedly and clearly are boosters.
5
Пропуск
There to be a link between screen time and poor sleep, although further research is needed.
appearsismustprovesТакже засчитывается: seemsThere appears / seems to be... reports evidence without claiming certainty.
6
Пропуск
The figures suggest that demand is slowing, but it is too early to be sure.
maymustwilldoТакже засчитывается: might, couldMay (might, could) softens a claim to a possibility.
7
Пропуск
To the best of our , this is the first study of its kind.
knowledgeknowingknownacknowledgementTo the best of our knowledge... admits that we may have missed something.
8
Пропуск
The new drug to reduce symptoms in the majority of patients tested.
tendedprovedalwayswasТакже засчитывается: tends, appeared, seemedTend to describes a general pattern rather than an absolute rule.
9
Пропуск
It is widely that the reforms will reduce inequality, though some economists remain sceptical.
Ответ: believedТакже засчитывается: thought, assumed, expectedIt is widely believed that... reports a common view without the writer adopting it.
10
Верно / неверно
In academic writing, 'This proves beyond doubt that...' is usually safer than 'This suggests that...'.
Ответ: НеверноAcademic writing prefers cautious claims: overclaiming can be easily challenged.
11
Верно / неверно
'To some extent' and 'in most cases' are both ways of limiting the scope of a claim.
Ответ: ВерноBoth phrases make it clear that the claim is not universal.
12
Вопрос для разговора
Rewrite this claim in cautious academic style: 'Social media makes teenagers depressed.'
Пример ответа: There would appear to be an association between heavy social media use and depressive symptoms in some teenagers, although it remains unclear whether one causes the other.