The Register of Academic Discourse

The experiment _____ failure

• resulted to

• resulted in

• result to

• resulted

Answer explanation

"Result in" is currently the standard idiomatic usage. "Result to" is used in Philippine English.

The speaker discussed _____ logical fallacies prevalent in today's news.

• about

• on

• through

• (no preposition)

Answer explanation

The verb "discuss" does not require a preposition. It stands for "talk about," so the common usage "discuss about" is considered to be nonstandard because of redundancy.

The article was very _____ because it covered not only the most well known points about the topic but also more obscure details from scholarly sources.

• comprehensive

• comprehensible

• entertaining

• good

Answer explanation

"Comprehensive" means complete and thorough. "Comprehensible" means understandable. The first choice is the most precise and specific one. "Good" is vague, and "entertaining" does not fit the context of the statement.

This situation is a paradoxical one, _____?

• right

• isn't it

• is it not

• is it?

Answer explanation

If a statement is positive, the tag question should contain negation, which is why "is it not?" is correct. "Isn't it" is also correct, but because of the contraction it is informal and conversational.

The debate _____ aired on Facebook and YouTube.

• is gonna be

• is going to be

• will going to be

• will gonna be

Answer explanation

Tip: Avoid conversational shortcuts like "gonna" and "gotta" in academic writing.

The series was _____ because of its portrayal of controversial topics.

• widely talked about

• widely discussed about

• super popular

• the talk of the town

Answer explanation

Choose the most formal and precise option. Avoid slang and ungrammatical expressions (I hope you didn't choose "discussed about."

The delivery _____ the station late.

• got to

• got out to

• arrived at

• was delivered to

Answer explanation

"Got" is one of the most overused verbs in prepositional phrase ("got here," "got out of the car," "got a call," "got gas," etc.). Avoid it in academic writing by using a more precise word. The delivery "was delivered to" the station late is grammatical but is repetitive.

The findings will be processed _____.

• ASAP

• as soon as possible

• soonest

• forthwith

Answer explanation

Avoid informal usages like conversational acronyms (ASAP, btw, SOP, lol, til). Also avoid other informal usages like "soonest" and clunky archaic usages like "forthwith."

The candidate graduated from _____.

• UP

• the University of the Philippines

• the University of the Philippines (UP)

• UP (the University of the Philippines)

Answer explanation

Spell out acronyms of institutions like (DLSU, ADMU, CAL, DECL, etc.) the first time you mention them, and place the acronym in parentheses beside this. Afterwards, you may then use the acronym in place of the full name.

This hotel has two _____ on the first floor.

• comfort rooms

• CRs

• loos

• bathrooms

Answer explanation

"CR" and "comfort room" are terms used in the Philippines. Those from outside the Philippines will likely not understand what these terms refer to. "Loo" is an informal British English usage. "Bathroom" is the most widely recognized term, like "restroom," although the latter is more of a North American usage.