INGL 3105: Skills for Communication in the Sciences

 

Your Name ___________________________________

 

Practice self-test #1

(Prepared by Dr. W. Rybarkiewicz) 

(p.1)

1.  Correct the two sentences below for their grammar and word order:

An chemical interested phenomena is that certains elements exist can in more than one form estable.  An chemical element are said to exhibit allotropy  when occur in two or more form; the form are call allotropes .  Allotropes general differ in structure and in both property physicals and chemicals.

 

Suggests this data that emulsified fat have more great area surface in contact with a enzyme lipase than would otherwise possible.

 

2.  Explain the difference in meaning, if any, between the following:

 

(a) We almost lost our entire sample.                               (b) The color is largely enhanced due to the new dye.

 

We lost almost our entire sample.                                     The color is enhanced largely due to the new dye.

 

                (c) The detailed quantitative analysis revealed another factor responsible for a marked difference between the two samples.

 

 

                The detailed analysis revealed another quantitative factor responsible for a marked difference between the two samples.

 

 

                (d) The researchers have observed a noted rise in the nocturnal activities of the bats during this period.

 

 

                The researchers have observed a rise in the noted nocturnal activities of the bats during this period.

 

 

INGL 3105: Practice self-test #1 (p.2)

 

3.  Explain how the order of words leads to a confused or absurd interpretation in the following sentences:

 

We tested the patients using this procedure.

 

Randy asked his students while in lab to watch the video.

 

Watson and Crick completed their paper while traveling to California on the back of a notebook.

 

For the ninth time in less than two months, a young Indian man on the Wind River Reservation in Central Wyoming has committed suicide, officials said Tuesday.

 

Lying on top of the intestine, you will perhaps make out a small transparent thread.

 

A large mass of literature has accumulated on the cell walls of straphylococci.

 

 

4.  Describe the nature of ambiguity which is due to a careless use of a pronoun in the following two sentences (one point each):

 

Randy asked Darrell if he could dissect the leaf.

 

 

When we tried to follow the instructions on the package, we burned it.

 

 

5.  Indicate what is wrong with the following sentences (one point each):

 

One can measure less temperature in the higher altitudes.

 

 

We didn't find no trace of Plasmodium ovale in the sample.

 

 

Between he and I we can divide our duties in the lab according to our schedules.

 

 

The water consists of two molecules of hydrogen and one oxygen.

 

 

6.  Describe an organization of a scientific paper: the so-called IMRAD.  What kind of audience does it address?

 

 

7.  Enumerate and explain five most important principles that make scientific writing distinct from other kinds of writing, like journalism or literature.

 

INGL 3105: Practice self-test #1 (p.3)

 

8.  Correct two more sentences below:

Have more lower energies a molecular bonding orbital and more great stability than the atom orbitals from they it were form.  A antibonding molecular orbital have more higher energy and lower stability than the atom orbitals from them they were form.

 

Suggests this data that emulsified fat have more great area surface in contact with a enzyme lipase than would otherwise possible.

INGL 3105: Skills for Communication in the Sciences

 

Your Name ___________________________________

 

Practice self-test #2

(Prepared by Dr. W. Rybarkiewicz) 

 

1.  Is it recommended to use questions and exclamations in scientific writing?  If so, then to which kind of audience?  (2 points)

 

 

 

 

2. Would you use the IMRAD pattern in writing for general audience?.  Why, why not?  (2 points)

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Enumerate and explain five most important—in your judgment—differences between English and Spanish in the area of grammar, syntax, or the linguistic usage and style (5 points).

 

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

e.

 

 

4.  Explain the difference in meaning, if any, in each pair of sentences (one point for each sentence):

 

                The detailed quantitative analysis revealed another factor responsible for a marked difference between the two samples.

 

 

                The detailed analysis revealed another quantitative factor responsible for a marked difference between the two samples.

 

 

 

 

                Both measurements could not establish the exact speed and position of the particle.

 

 

                Measurements could not establish both the exact speed and position of the particle.

 

5.  Explain how you would adjust the word order in the following sentences in order to clarify the meaning (one point each):

 

The sponges are the major animals only having neither nerve cells for perception and transmission nor muscles for reaction.

 

 

 

 

Most of our knowledge about the universe comes from light arriving at the Earth from studying distant objects.

 

 

 

 

6.  Indicate what is wrong with the following sentences (one point each):

 

The new data show a marked increase in the activities nocturnal of the gray bats.

 

 

The new product has less calories.

 

 

The number of the samples we have taken were four.

 

 

However the lab decided to go ahead with the experiment, there was no money in the budget to pay for it.

 

 

7.  How do the two following sentences differ in meaning? (one point)

 

The lab assistant who has her office upstairs was absent during the whole week.

 

The lab assistant who was absent during the whole week has her office upstairs.

 

 

 

8.  Correct the three sentences below for their grammar and word order (altogether 30 points):

These type firmware study by Frisch and Finbergen is know generally as the instincts, pattern behavior that seem motivate by species-especific needs to mostly do for food gathering moreover reproduction.

Is reveal the theory quantum of charged particle that a electron direct toward a proton not collapses onto the proton when it gets very closer at the proton, as one would expects from classics Newtonian physicals, but, instead, is thrown out in an direction random, just as a ball rubber bounces randomly an iregular surface.

 

Galileo Galilei was the first person that see the four most largest satellite of Jupiter.

 

INGL 3105: Skills for Communication in the Sciences

 

Your Name ___________________________________

Practice self-test #3

(Prepared by Dr. W. Rybarkiewicz) 

 

1.  Please translate into English as best as you can.  Check for word order, lexical counterparts, and agreement (9 points):

 

Hablaremos sobre química estructural, y como está relacionada con otras ciencias.  (Use the verb "talk about")

 

 

 

 

2.  Explain the difference in meaning in the following two sentences and explain the principle behind this difference (4 points):

 

The statistical results in the tables were showing marked decreases.

The results in the statistical tables were showing marked decreases.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Which of the following sentences differ in meaning?  Explain how (2 points):

 

(a)  With the present knowledge such experiment is not impossible.

(b)  With the present knowledge such experiment is out of the question.

(c)  With the present knowledge such experiment is not possible.

 

 

 

 

4.  In the following passage on the reverse of this page please find out and correct problems with word order, expressions, spellings, and punctuation.  Also correct logical and grammatical mistakes.  Use the margin space or write between the lines (30 mistakes = 30 points):

 

      When we says that an affect has been triggered, we mean precision that an definable stimulus has activated a mechanism that which then release a known pattern of events biologicals .  Each of the innate affects unfolds according to it's own precise written program.  Each one lasted a strictly determined period of time, from a few hundredths of a second to a couple of seconds.  Is well evidence here that this patterns, which are genetics transmission and is part of the heritage biologic called evolution, appeared first in life froms as primitivos as the reptile.  In the humans the circuitry for the affects is stored in the primitive portion of the brain called the reptile brain.  To say more of it, we use the word feeling  to indicate that the organic has become aware  of a affect.  Many animal look startled when exposed to an unexpected loudly noise, like a gunshot or a thunderclap.  If only a life form has the advanced brain mechanisms needed to producing the degree of consciencia which we call awareness, is able to know that it has been take by an affect.  The move from an affect to a feeling is a move from biology to psychology the concept of emotion  requires another level of complexity.

 

 

1.  Give a general description of the standard outline of a scientific paper (6 points).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Mention five most important, according to you, qualities that make writing effective (5 points).

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  An important feature of writing in sciences should be simplicity and conciseness.  Keeping this in mind, rewrite and improve the following phrases and sentences (14 points):

 

final outcome                                                                        component parts

 

 

filled to capacity                                                                   join together

 

 

endeavor                                                                               undertake an examination of

 

 

of great importance                                                              elucidate

 

 

bisect into two parts                                                            active consideration

 

 

There is the possibility that they may finish the experiment before us

 

 

it consists essentially of two parts

 

 

Watson and Crick's ideas were radically new

 

 

in no case whatsoever did any of the laboratory mice develop lesions

 

 

1.  How does an outline of a review differ from the standard outline of a scientific paper? (6 points):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Mention five important, according to you, activities that precede the actual writing of the first draft of a scientific paper (5 points):

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  An important feature of writing in sciences should be simplicity and conciseness.  Keeping this in mind, rewrite and improve the following phrases and sentences (14 points):

 

as a matter of fact                                                                 rectangular in shape

 

 

positive identification                                                         utilize

 

 

serious crisis                                                                         in the course of

 

 

not in a position to                                                              past experience

 

 

in lieu of                                                                                 after this has been done

 

 

an increased appetite was manifested by all of the dogs at that point in time

 

 

we want results that are exactly alike

 

 

the answer is in the negative

 

 

the mice are without any nutrients whatsoever

 

1.  What is a dangling modifier? (3 points)

 

 

 

 

2.  Make the following sentence more concise (3 points):

 

The replacement of a lens is a job that can be handled by the least experienced student.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Give an example of a stacked modifier and show a better alternative.  (3 points)

 

 

 

4.  Find a better expression for the following (6 points):

 

did not consider                                                                   ad hoc

 

 

does not have                                                                       in toto

 

 

are found to be in agreement                                             draw conclusions

 

 

5.  Combine the following sentences to form a cohesive unit (5 points):

 

All of the glassware should be cleaned and rinsed.

The glassware is not disposable.

The cleaning and rinsing should be thorough.

Wash the glassware with nitric acid.

The acid should be a solution of 50%.

 

 

 

 

6.  Name 10 differences between writing for a general and a professional audience.  Use the reverse of this page.  (10 points)

 

1.  What is a cliché?  (3 points)

 

 

 

 

2.  Make the following sentence more concise (3 points):

 

The students reached a decision to terminate the experiment after extensive deliberation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Give an example of a stacked modifier and show a better alternative.  (3 points)

 

 

 

4.  Find a better expression for the following (6 points):

 

make use of                                                                           institute an improvement in

 

 

de facto                                                                                  sine qua non

 

 

did not remember                                                                 did not allow

 

 

5.  Combine the following sentences to form a cohesive unit (5 points):

 

The 1991 guidelines of the EPA are available.

The guidelines are for air quality.

The levels for air quality are tolerable levels.

The levels are for each type of pollutant in the air.

The levels vary with toxicity of each pollutant.

 

 

 

 

6.  Name 10 differences between writing for a general and a professional audience.  Use the reverse of this page.  (10 points)

 

1.  What is a doublespeak?  Give an example.  (3 points)

 

 

 

 

2.  Change the following sentence: eliminate the dangling modifier. (3 points):

 

As a baboon who grew up in the wild, I realized that Tamba has strong sexual needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Give an example of a stacked modifier and show a better alternative.  (3 points)

 

 

 

4.  Find a better expression for the following (6 points):

 

draw conclusions                                                                 non sequitur

 

 

achieve purification                                                             present a summary

 

 

ad libitum                                                                               cf.

 

 

 

 

1.  What is the "fog index"?  How do you measure it?  (5 points)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  How many temperature scales do you know and how do they differ?

(6 points):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Describe the scientific notation based on the use of exponential.  Give one example of a very small and one example of a very big number.  (3 points)

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  What are SI measurements?  Describe the system and give four examples of the units in this system.  (5 points)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  Say whether the sentence is true (T) or false (F).  (4 points):

 

Albumin is the white of an egg.  ______

"The river smashed the dam" is an anthropomorphic statement.  _______

"Bisecting" something is cutting it into very many parts.  _________

"Affect" refers to the result of an action.  ________

 

6.  Rewrite using mathematical exponential notation,

 e.g. femtogram=fg=10-15g.  (2 points)

 

micrometer=         =

decagram=       =                                          

INGL 3105: Skills for Communication in the Sciences

 

Your Name ___________________________________

Practice self-test #10

(Prepared by Dr. W. Rybarkiewicz)