Use of English for Distance Learners in the Nigerian University System Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering study skills, language skills, grammar, word usage, registers, and writing mechanics based on the National Universities Commission course material.

What is the definition of 'study skills' according to the text?

Activities undertaken to gain knowledge which can be used in solving a problem, requiring mental, physical, communicative, and intellectual readiness.

What is the main difference between 'note-taking' and 'note-making'?

Note-taking is the act of jotting down points while listening to a lecture or seminar, while note-making is the process of studying printed or e-materials and developing your own notes on them.

According to the text, what is the 'best place' to make notes?

The Library.

What is 'skimming' in the context of reading materials?

A first reading intended to grasp the general view and the gist of the entire material without being preoccupied with minute details.

What is 'scanning' as a reading skill?

A second reading used to search for definite answers to specific questions in the material.

In memory storage, what is the 'short-term memory'?

Storing information in the mind for a short time before dismissing it or transferring it to long-term memory.

What is 'chunking' as a memory improvement technique?

The process of grouping things together to help memorize them, such as listing a phone number with dashes.

What are the three factors listed that affect comprehension?

Linguistic, physiological, and psychological factors.

What is the difference between 'hearing' and 'listening'?

Hearing is a natural and passive process requiring little effort, while listening is an active, deliberate, and conscious mental process.

Name the three basic steps in the linear process of listening.

Hearing, understanding, and judging.

How does 'active listening' differ from 'passive listening'?

Active listening is purposive and involves all senses, attitudes, and thoughts to extract information, while passive listening involves little or no personal involvement.

What is 'serious listening'?

A form of active, purposeful, and goal-directed listening that requires rapt attention and mental processing.

In phonetics, how are 'consonants' defined?

Sounds produced where there is a total or partial blockage of the airstreams at some point in the vocal tract.

What are 'diphthongs'?

English vowels produced with double vowel nuclei where the tongue moves from one vowel position to another.

What is 'stress' in the context of the English language?

The prominence assigned to a particular syllable of a word that makes it stand out from other syllables through greater muscular energy.

What does 'intonation' refer to?

The variation in the pitch level of the voice, which goes up and down depending on the sentence type or speaker's attitude.

Define 'functional literacy'.

The ability to perform useful activities like reading road signs, maps, labels on medicine bottles, and directions for operating appliances.

What is 'intensive reading'?

A close examination of a text for detail and analysis, often involving re-reading and pausing to check meanings.

What is 'regression' in reading habits?

A bad habit involving glancing back and re-reading words, phrases, or sentences already read, often due to lack of concentration.

What is a 'thesis statement' in writing?

The sentence that summarizes the contents of your writing and sums up the central idea or theme.

List the four cardinal rules of writing.

Unity, coherence, originality of ideas, and mechanical accuracy.

What is the difference between 'inductive reasoning' and 'deductive reasoning'?

Inductive reasoning involves making a generalization based on presented evidence/instances, while deductive reasoning starts from a general premise to reach a specific conclusion.

What is the difference between 'guided' and 'unguided' summary?

Guided summary adheres to specific instructions regarding word or sentence counts, while unguided summary allows a free hand in style but generally follows a 1/3 length principle.

What is the 'morpheme'?

The smallest meaningful unit of grammar of a language that cannot be broken down into any other meaningful unit.

Distinguish between 'free morphemes' and 'bound morphemes'.

Free morphemes (roots) can stand alone, while bound morphemes (additives) must be joined to free morphemes to exist.

What are 'zero morphemes'?

Morphemes where tense or plurality is marked but does not show physically, such as in the word 'sheep' or 'hit'.

What characterizes 'open class' words versus 'closed class' words?

Open class words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) can have new members added, while closed class words (pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions) are fixed sets.

What are the two types of 'numerals' in word classes?

Cardinals (numbers like one, two) and ordinals (positions like first, second).

What is a 'linking verb'?

Verbs used to connect the subject of a sentence and its predicate to show some kind of equality between them, such as 'is' or 'seems'.

Explain the 'proximity concord' rule.

The rule stating that the noun closer or closest to the verb determines the verb form, common with correlative pronouns like 'either…or' or 'neither…nor'.

What is 'register' in language study?

The form of language used for a particular purpose in a particular situation, often identified by unique vocabulary items in specific fields.

Define the legal register term 'legalese'.

A type of technical writing used by law professionals characterized by citation of authority, specialized jargon, and complex syntax.

In writing, what is 'economy'?

A quality of good writing where a sentence contains no unnecessary words and a paragraph contains no unnecessary sentences.

What is a 'memorandum' (memo)?

A short form of written communication circulated internally within an organization, omitting salutations and complimentary closes.

What is 'plagiarism'?

The use of the words or ideas of others as if they were your own without acknowledging the source.

Define the instruction verb 'compare' in an examination context.

To present items side by side, indicating both their similarities and their differences.

What is the purpose of an 'ellipsis' (…) in writing mechanics?

To indicate that a part of a quotation has been intentionally left out.

When is 'apostrophe + s' used besides showing possession?

In forming the plurals of figures, letters, words, and symbols (e.g., 'four A's').

What is 'Officialese'?

The register typically used in official communication in offices, government, and politics, including terms like 'remuneration' or 'implementation'.