Week 3 Knowledge Check Study Guide

Concepts

Mastery

Purposes and Types of

Score: 18 / 18

Questions

100%

100%

Vagueness in Writing

100%

10

11

12

Ambiguity in Writing

100%

13

14

15

Definitions

Hints for Planning and

16

17

18

Concept: Purposes and Types of Definitions

100%

Questions

1.
What type of definition is used to introduce an unusual or unfamiliar word, to coin new
words, or to introduce a new meaning to a familiar word?

A.

Stipulative definition

B.

Precising definition

C.

Explanatory definition

D.

Persuasive definition

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: A.
Definitions used for the purpose of explicitly spelling out the meaning of a previously
unknown word are stipulative, by definition. In other words, When we use the word
X, what we mean is Y.
2.

What technique of defining terms is used to reduce vagueness and eliminate ambiguity?

A.

Definition by synonym

B.

Explanatory definition

C.

Persuasive definition

D.

Precising definition

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: D.
In this case, it is merely a matter of "tightening up" a definition to relieve confusion,
using more exact words or phrasing to make it more precise.
3.
What type of definition points to, names, or identifies one or more instances of something
to which the defined term applies?

A.

Explanatory definition

B.

Definition by synonym

C.

Definition by example

D.

Analytical definition

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: C.
Sometimes the quickest way to give a definition of a group of things is to show what
one looks like.
4.
What type of definition gives another word or phrase that means the same thing as the
term being defined?

A.

Explanatory definition

B.

Precising definition

C.

Definition by example

D.

Definition by synonym

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: D.
If you know the meaning of a word similar to the one you want to know, then using
that synonym is a good starting point (with some modification) to understanding the
new word.
5.
What type of definition first specifies the type of thing the term applies to, and then gives
the differences between the thing the term applies to and other things of the same type?

A.

Precising definition

B.

Stipulative definition

C.

Analytical definition

D.

Explanatory definition

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: C.
Analytic definitions are the most authoritative and precise way to convey the
meaning of a word. They often involve giving a related term, then showing the
differences.

Concept: Hints for Planning and Writing an Argumentative Essay

6.

100%

Questions

Which hint for planning and writing an argumentative essay is described in the following
statement? "Make clear at the outset what issue you intend to address and what your
position on the issue will be."

A.

Stick to the issue

B.

Logical sequencing

C.

Focus

D.

Be complete

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: C.
Clearly revealing the issue you are discussing right from the start tells readers what
to look for; it helps them focus on what you are talking about.
7.

Which hint for planning and writing an argumentative essay is described in the following
statement? "All points you make in an essay should be connected to the issue under
discussion."

A.

Stick to the issue

B.

Logical sequencing

C.

Focus

D.

Be complete

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: A.
Dont include extraneous material in your essay. (If you have a pressing need to say
something that is off the topic, then write it in a new essay.)
8.

Which hint for planning and writing an argumentative essay is described in the following
statement? "Make a point before clarifying it and make sure your reader can discern the
relationship between any given sentence and your ultimate goal."

A.

Stick to the issue

B.

Logical sequencing

C.

Focus

D.

Be complete

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
Arrange the components of your essay in a logical sequence that your readers will
be able to follow.
9.

Which hint for planning and writing an argumentative essay is described in the following
statement? "Support fully and adequately whatever position you take on an issue."

A.

Stick to the issue

B.

Logical sequencing

C.

Focus

D.

Be complete

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: D.
Anticipate possible objections to your position and address them. In that way, you
automatically cover the issue more thoroughly.

Concept: Vagueness in Writing

100%

Questions

10

11

12

10.
How would you assess the vagueness of the following statement? "Please do not make
any more late-night phone calls."

A.

Vague in itself

B.

Vague comparison

C.

No vagueness

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: C.
"Late-night" may not have a precise definition, but it's clear enough to say that there
is no real vagueness in the statement.
11.
How would you assess the vagueness of the following statement? "Whiskey is no worse
for you than beer."

A.

Vague in itself

B.

Vague comparison

C.

No vagueness

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
If the comparison refers to the total alcohol in one shot of whiskey with one whole
bottle of beer, it may be true (but if that is what is meant, such details ought to be
provided). If other claims are implied, such as potential for abuse, or relative rates of
absorption, the claim requires more information.
12.
How would you assess the vagueness of the following statement? "This warranty
becomes void if the owner uses the hammer improperly."

A.

Vague in itself

B.

Vague comparison

C.

No vagueness

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: A.
Given that a hammer is an object made to hit things with, "improperly" needs a more
precise definition. Does it refer to propping up a car with the hammer? Or, is it
improper if you try pounding nails into concrete walls?

Concept: Ambiguity in Writing

100%

Questions

13

14

15

16

17

18

13.
Which type of ambiguity is defined by the following? "A claim whose ambiguity is due to
the ambiguity of a particular word or phrase."

A.

Grouping ambiguity

B.

Semantic ambiguity

C.

Syntactic ambiguity

D.

No ambiguity

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
Semantics has to do with the meanings of words; therefore, when the meaning is in
question, the ambiguity is semantic.
14.
Which type of ambiguity is defined by the following? "A claim whose ambiguity is due to a
problem with its structure."

A.

Semantic ambiguity
Syntactic ambiguity

B.
C.

Grouping ambiguity

D.

No ambiguity

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
Syntax has to do with the structure of the sentence, not the content. Some structures
allow for one part of the sentence to refer to more than one possible subject. For
example, "She saw the person with binoculars" could mean "She saw (the person
who has binoculars around his neck)" or "She saw the person (by looking through
her binoculars)."
15.
Which type of ambiguity is defined by the following? "A claim whose ambiguity rests on a
confusion between a collection of entities or individual entities."

Grouping ambiguity

A.
B.

Semantic ambiguity

C.

Syntactic ambiguity

D.

No ambiguity

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: A.
Grouping ambiguities are a type of semantic ambiguity that involves an uncertain
interpretation of whether a group is collectively or individually being discussed.
16.
Identify the type of ambiguity in the following statement: "Our mothers bore us."

A.

Semantic ambiguity

B.

Syntactic ambiguity

C.

Grouping ambiguity

D.

No ambiguity

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: A.
"Bore" has two meanings: to give birth; and to be dull and uninteresting. Mothers
may be capable of doing both.
17.
Identify the type of ambiguity in the following newspaper headline: "Unskilled Workers Get
a Shot at Jobs."

A.

Semantic ambiguity

B.

Syntactic ambiguity

C.

Grouping ambiguity
No ambiguity

D.

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: A.
The semantics of the word shot are unclear. Does this mean a shot, as with
vaccine in a syringe, or "get a shot at" as in the expression meaning "to have an
opportunity"?
18.
Identify the type of ambiguity in the following statement. "Americans have shown
themselves willing to drop nuclear weapons."

A.

Semantic ambiguity

B.

Syntactic ambiguity

C.

Grouping ambiguity

D.

No ambiguity

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: A.
Semantically, the word "drop" can mean to drop from an airplane or it can mean to
remove them from the national arsenal.