Cautious Academic Wording

Question 1

A survey of 60 students in one school found that later sleepers scored lower. Which wording states no more than this evidence supports?

Accepted Answer

In this sample, later bedtimes were linked to lower scores.

Answer

Late bedtimes cause lower scores in all students.

Answer

The survey proves that sleep controls student grades.

Answer

It is possible that something might perhaps affect scores.

Question 2

A study observed 30 households in one town. Which sentence claims more than that evidence allows?

Accepted Answer

This study shows conclusively that every household recycles less.

Answer

The households in this study recycled less than expected.

Answer

These results suggest that recycling rates may be falling.

Answer

Among the 30 households, recycling appeared to decline.

Question 3

Which wording retreats so far that it reports nothing at all?

Accepted Answer

It is possible that some change might perhaps have occurred.

Answer

Screen time appears to rise slightly on weekends.

Answer

The data indicate a small rise in weekend screen time.

Answer

Weekend screen time was higher for most students surveyed.

Question 4

A report needs to state the freezing point of water at sea level, a well-established fact. Which wording suits a research report?

Accepted Answer

Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius at sea level.

Answer

Water may possibly freeze at about 0 degrees Celsius at sea level.

Answer

It appears that water could freeze at 0 degrees Celsius at sea level.

Answer

Water seems to freeze at 0 degrees Celsius at sea level in this sample.

Question 5

A cleanup on one beach collected mostly plastic bottles. Which wording states no more than the evidence supports?

Accepted Answer

On this beach, plastic bottles were the most common item collected.

Answer

Plastic bottles are the main waste problem in every coastal town.

Answer

The cleanup proves that plastic bottles pollute all our beaches.

Answer

It may be that some items might possibly have been collected.

Question 6

A study of one class found a link between snack sales and canteen queues. Which word belongs in the report?

Accepted Answer

suggests

Answer

proves

Answer

guarantees

Answer

establishes

Question 7

A report defines a key term before using it. Which sentence states the definition of 'sample' correctly?

Accepted Answer

A sample is the smaller group actually studied.

Answer

A sample may perhaps be a kind of smaller group.

Answer

A sample is every person in the whole population.

Answer

A sample appears to be a group that might be studied.

Question 8

Two measures rose together in one town's data. Which sentence claims more than a correlation allows?

Accepted Answer

Rising temperatures caused the rise in water use.

Answer

Water use rose as temperatures rose in this town.

Answer

Higher temperatures may be linked to higher water use.

Answer

The two measures appear to rise together in the data.

Question 9

Which revision of 'Commuting time rose' strips out all real meaning?

Accepted Answer

It could be that commuting time might perhaps have changed.

Answer

Commuting time appears to have risen this year.

Answer

The data suggest a rise in commuting time.

Answer

Commuting time rose for the students surveyed.

Question 10

A flood preparedness report must state where the Philippines lies in relation to Pacific typhoons, a well-known fact. Which wording suits the report?

Accepted Answer

The Philippines lies in the path of Pacific typhoons.

Answer

The Philippines may possibly lie in the path of Pacific typhoons.

Answer

It appears that the Philippines might lie in the path of Pacific typhoons.

Answer

In this sample, the Philippines seemed to lie in the path of Pacific typhoons.

Question 11

A study measured reading habits in three Grade 10 sections. Which wording keeps the claim inside the group studied?

Accepted Answer

Among these three sections, daily reading was rare.

Answer

Daily reading is rare among Filipino teenagers.

Answer

The study proves that Grade 10 learners never read daily.

Answer

Reading habits everywhere appear to be in decline.

Question 12

Which sentence hedges a fact that is already established and needs no hedge?

Accepted Answer

It seems that the human heart may pump blood.

Answer

The heart rates recorded here were lower after rest.

Answer

The readings suggest a small drop in resting heart rate.

Answer

Resting heart rates appeared to fall in this sample.

Question 13

One interview with one shop owner is the only evidence a writer has. Which wording fits?

Accepted Answer

One shop owner reported fewer customers this month.

Answer

Shop owners across the town report fewer customers.

Answer

The interview proves that customer numbers have fallen.

Answer

It might be that perhaps something changed for shops.

Question 14

Which phrase correctly limits the finding to the data collected? ___, water clarity improved after the rains.

Accepted Answer

In this sample

Answer

In every case

Answer

Without exception

Answer

Beyond any doubt

Question 15

A writer is reporting when her own survey was carried out. Which wording is correct?

Accepted Answer

The survey was conducted in June 2024.

Answer

The survey may have been conducted around June 2024.

Answer

It appears that the survey was possibly conducted in 2024.

Answer

The survey was perhaps conducted at some point in 2024.

Question 16

A graph of one district shows a small rise in recorded temperatures. Which sentence overclaims?

Accepted Answer

The graph proves that urban heat is rising everywhere.

Answer

The graph shows a small rise in recorded temperatures.

Answer

Recorded temperatures appear to have risen slightly.

Answer

Temperatures in this district rose by a small amount.

Question 17

A schedule survey was answered only by volunteers. Which wording states no more than that supports?

Accepted Answer

The volunteers who answered mostly favored the new schedule.

Answer

All students favor the new schedule.

Answer

The survey shows conclusively that the schedule is popular.

Answer

It is possible that some people might prefer something.

Question 18

How should 'Part-time work always lowers grades' be revised to match a study that found a link?

Accepted Answer

Part-time work may be linked to lower grades.

Answer

Part-time work never affects grades at all.

Answer

Part-time work possibly might perhaps affect something.

Answer

Part-time work proves that grades will fall.

Question 19

Which sentence is too cautious to be useful in a results section?

Accepted Answer

Something may possibly have happened to some readings.

Answer

Two readings fell below the expected range.

Answer

The readings suggest a drop in water quality.

Answer

Water quality appeared lower after the heavy rain.

Question 20

Which sentence reports what the researchers did, with no unnecessary hedging?

Accepted Answer

Water clarity was measured at three points along the river.

Answer

Water clarity may have been measured at about three points.

Answer

It appears that clarity was possibly measured somewhere.

Answer

Clarity might perhaps have been measured by someone.

Question 21

In a research report, saying a result 'may indicate' a pattern tells the reader what?

Accepted Answer

The evidence points that way but does not settle it.

Answer

The result has been proven true beyond doubt.

Answer

The result has been shown to be false.

Answer

The writer has collected no evidence at all.

Question 22

A study found longer commutes among students with lower attendance. Which sentence keeps the cause claim cautious?

Accepted Answer

Longer commutes may contribute to lower attendance.

Answer

Longer commutes are the sole cause of lower attendance.

Answer

Longer commutes have no effect on attendance at all.

Answer

Longer commutes might possibly perhaps relate to something.

Question 23

A researcher watched canteen queues for one week. Which wording matches that evidence?

Accepted Answer

During that week, queues were longest at noon.

Answer

Queues are always longest at noon.

Answer

The observations prove that noon is the busiest hour.

Answer

Queues may perhaps sometimes be long at some hour.

Question 24

Twelve students from one section answered a questionnaire. Which sentence overstates what those answers can tell us?

Accepted Answer

These 12 answers represent the whole student body.

Answer

These 12 answers come from one section only.

Answer

The 12 responses suggest a possible pattern.

Answer

Among these 12 students, three walked to school.

Question 25

A new finding disagrees with earlier reports. Which wording states this fairly?

Accepted Answer

These results appear to differ from earlier reports.

Answer

These results prove that the earlier reports were wrong.

Answer

These results are the final word on this topic.

Answer

These results might perhaps possibly relate to something.

Question 26

A writer is describing the questionnaire her study used. Which wording is correct?

Accepted Answer

The questionnaire contained ten multiple choice items.

Answer

The questionnaire may have contained about ten items.

Answer

It seems the questionnaire possibly had some items.

Answer

The questionnaire perhaps included roughly ten questions.

Question 27

Canteen records show sales usually drop on rainy days. Which sentence hedges without emptying the claim?

Accepted Answer

Canteen sales tend to fall on rainy days.

Answer

Canteen sales fall on every single rainy day.

Answer

Canteen sales may possibly perhaps change sometimes.

Answer

Rain is the sole cause of falling canteen sales.

Question 28

A writer should state an established fact directly, without hedging words such as 'may' or 'appears to'.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 29

'Proves' is the safest word to use whenever a study finds a link between two variables.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 30

Records from one town show flood drills twice a year. Which wording limits the claim correctly?

Accepted Answer

Flood drills were held twice a year in this town.

Answer

Flood drills are held twice a year nationwide.

Answer

Every town in the country holds two drills yearly.

Answer

Drills may perhaps be held at some time somewhere.

Question 31

Which sentence uses the verb 'suggest' in a way that is consistent with itself?

Accepted Answer

The figures suggest that noise levels rise after school.

Answer

The figures suggest noise levels beyond any doubt.

Answer

The figures suggest that all schools are noisy.

Answer

The figures suggest something might perhaps happen.

Question 32

A study found no clear difference between two groups. Which wording reports that accurately?

Accepted Answer

No clear difference appeared between the two groups.

Answer

The two groups are identical in every way.

Answer

The study proves the two groups are the same.

Answer

There might perhaps be something between the groups.

Question 33

Which sentence would a careful reader call an overclaim in a discussion section?

Accepted Answer

This finding settles the screen time debate for good.

Answer

This finding adds one small piece to the debate.

Answer

This finding may support one side of the debate.

Answer

This finding appears to agree with two earlier studies.

Question 34

Which sentence reports a study's limitation honestly?

Accepted Answer

The sample included only students from one school.

Answer

The sample covered students from every school.

Answer

The sample may perhaps have included some students.

Answer

The sample proves the results apply to all schools.

Question 35

Which sentence states what 'variable' means as researchers use the term?

Accepted Answer

A variable is anything measured that can change.

Answer

A variable may perhaps be a thing that changes.

Answer

A variable is a fixed value that never changes.

Answer

A variable seems to be a possible kind of measure.

Question 36

Attendance rose, but only by a little. Which sentence hedges the size of the change rather than the change itself?

Accepted Answer

Attendance rose, though the increase was small.

Answer

Attendance may perhaps have possibly changed a bit.

Answer

Attendance rose enormously across the whole region.

Answer

The rise in attendance proves the new rule worked.

Question 37

Two separate studies produced similar results. Which sentence states no more than that allows?

Accepted Answer

Both studies point in the same direction.

Answer

Both studies prove the same conclusion.

Answer

Both studies might perhaps mean something similar.

Answer

Both studies apply to every school in the country.

Question 38

Only one of three water tests showed a change. Which wording is right?

Accepted Answer

One of the three tests showed a change.

Answer

The three tests showed a change overall.

Answer

All three tests may indicate a change.

Answer

Some test might perhaps have shown something.

Question 39

Just under 40 percent of those surveyed walked to school. Which wording keeps the estimate honest?

Accepted Answer

About 40 percent of those surveyed walked to school.

Answer

Exactly 40 percent of all students walk to school.

Answer

Roughly some percent might perhaps walk to school.

Answer

The survey proves that most students walk to school.

Question 40

One month of water records shows the highest use on Sundays. Which sentence matches that evidence?

Accepted Answer

In that month, water use was highest on Sundays.

Answer

Water use is always highest on Sundays.

Answer

The records prove Sunday is the peak day every week.

Answer

Water use may perhaps peak on some day sometimes.

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Cautious Academic Wording

Ways to Play

Device Games: Students play on their phones

Blast Go

Board Games: Teacher-led, projected to the class

Like what you see?

Zombie Escape

Avalanche

Maze Blast

Cave Climb

Blast Out

Mystery Auction

Tour Guide

Food Truck Rush

Tug of War

Bug Blast

Alien Blast

Glacier Rush

BlastRace

BlastQuiz

BlastBoard

Seek & Destroy

Mystery Blast

Checkers

Texas Hold 'Em

Da Bomb

Castle Siege

Hot Potato

Market Mayhem

King of the Hill

Bank Heist

Top Corner

Cautious Academic Wording

Ways to Play

Device Games: Students play on their phones

Blast Go

Board Games: Teacher-led, projected to the class

Like what you see?

More like this

Zombie Escape

Avalanche

Maze Blast

Cave Climb

Blast Out

Mystery Auction

Tour Guide

Food Truck Rush

Tug of War

Bug Blast

Alien Blast

Glacier Rush

BlastRace

BlastQuiz

BlastBoard

Seek & Destroy

Mystery Blast

Checkers

Texas Hold 'Em

Da Bomb

Castle Siege

Hot Potato

Market Mayhem

King of the Hill

Bank Heist

Top Corner