Academic Challenges!

This online quiz is intended to give you an idea whether you have a good understanding of academic writing and the necessary writing techniques that you will need for your academic study at HKU. It will take you no more than

5 mins

to complete. Let’s begin!

Academic reports are one of the many written genres that you will need to write during your university study. These types of academic texts have certain language features which are important to include. In the excerpt below, match the various coloured sections to the explanation on the right.

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Reality TV Shows and their Impacts on Children 1. Introduction Not long ago, children were raised on a diet of Sesame Street, Disney and Scooby Doo, with the occasional sitcom and wildlife programme. Parents were secure in the knowledge that their youngsters were exposed to nothing unsuitable, and might possibly learn something too. Today, the situation has radically changed. Reality TV (RTV) has replaced the old sitcom at the top of the TV ratings (Nielsen, 2011), appealing to broadcasting networks with its popular and cheap-to-produce content. Digital access to hundreds of channels on demand makes these shows more accessible, whilst presenting new challenges for parents. This report maintains that the amount of RTV children are watching is a serious concern, particularly in light of the growing number of online multimedia viewing options. It begins by examining recent statistics relating to children’s RTV viewing, then moves to consider two particular areas of concern. Finally, it considers ways broadcasting networks, governments and parents might best address these issues. 2. Children’s viewing habits Various polls indicate that children, young and old, are watching a worrying amount of television, in particular RTV, most of which was originally designed for adults. According to the UK-based Broadcaster’s Audience Research Board, BARB (2011), most of youngsters’ viewing occurs noticeably outside traditional children’s airtime, peaking between 20:00–20:30, and this is true of both older and younger children. It is no surprise then that reality TV constitutes a large proportion of the TV diet for children of all ages. In fact the same BARB report states that it actually accounts for five out of six of 10 to 15-year-old children’s favourite shows in the UK. These statistics lead both experts and parents to question its potential impact on children. [Text taken out] Example student text has been taken from the CUE textbook Legg, M., Pat, K., Roberts, S., Welland, R., Chan, L., Chan, L., & Tsang, W.L. (2017). Academic English: Skills for success (Revised 2^nd ed.). Hong Kong University Press.	The overall stance of the writer
	Use of Signposting devices
	Giving a preview of the overall structure of the document
	Reiteration of the writer’s standpoint
	Illustrating the problem with the support of academic references
	Use of citation verbs
	Use of hedging devices
	An advanced lexical phrase: meaning “not worried because you are sure that nothing bad will happen”
	Complexity of the situation, suggesting the significance of the teething problem
	Use of statistical information

Your final score : 100%

Thanks for completing the online quiz. Unfortunately, you do not seem to have a very good understanding of the proper structure, language use, and other important elements (such as expressing stance, using hedging devices, and integrating academic sources) of an academic report.

It is recommended that you should consider enrolling in the course, CAES1000 Core University English, in order to acquire the necessary academic writing skills that you will need in the future.

You can watch the video and read the website to know more about the course. Thank you.

Thanks for completing the online quiz. It seems that you only have some basic understanding of the proper structure and language use of an academic report.

You should consider enrolling in the course, CAES1000 Core University English, in order to acquire the more advanced academic writing skills (such as expressing stance, using hedging devices, and integrating academic sources) that you will need in the future.

You can watch the video and read the website to know more about the course. Thank you.

Thanks for completing the online quiz. You have successfully done the matching.

However, if you want to know how to integrate the various academic writing skills (such as expressing stance, using hedging devices, and integrating academic sources) into a coherent text, you can enroll in the course, CAES1000 Core University English.

You can watch the video and read the website to know more about the course. Thank you.

Academic reports are one of the many written genres that you will need to write in your university study. These types of academic texts have certain language features which are important to include. In the excerpt below, match the various coloured sections to the explanation on the right.

Reality TV Shows and their Impacts on Children 1. Introduction Not long ago, children were raised on a diet of Sesame Street, Disney and Scooby Doo, with the occasional sitcom and wildlife programme. Parents were secure in the knowledge that their youngsters were exposed to nothing unsuitable, and might possibly learn something too. Today, the situation has radically changed. Reality TV (RTV) has replaced the old sitcom at the top of the TV ratings (Nielsen, 2011), appealing to broadcasting networks with its popular and cheap-to-produce content. Digital access to hundreds of channels on demand makes these shows more accessible, whilst presenting new challenges for parents. This report maintains that the amount of RTV children are watching is a serious concern, particularly in light of the growing number of online multimedia viewing options. It begins by examining recent statistics relating to children’s RTV viewing, then moves to consider two particular areas of concern. Finally, it considers ways broadcasting networks, governments and parents might best address these issues. 2. Children’s viewing habits Various polls indicate that children, young and old, are watching a worrying amount of television, in particular RTV, most of which was originally designed for adults. According to the UK-based Broadcaster’s Audience Research Board, BARB (2011), most of youngsters’ viewing occurs noticeably outside traditional children’s airtime, peaking between 20:00–20:30, and this is true of both older and younger children. It is no surprise then that reality TV constitutes a large proportion of the TV diet for children of all ages. In fact the same BARB report states that it actually accounts for five out of six of 10 to 15-year-old children’s favourite shows in the UK. These statistics lead both experts and parents to question its potential impact on children. [Text taken out] Example student text has been taken from the CUE textbook Legg, M., Pat, K., Roberts, S., Welland, R., Chan, L., Chan, L., & Tsang, W.L. (2017). Academic English: Skills for success (Revised 2^nd ed.). Hong Kong University Press.	The overall stance of the writer	In academic writing, it is important to express a clear, detailed, and critical stance to your readers. Normally, you have to make your stance explicit at the beginning of your written report.
	Use of Signposting devices	A signposting device is a guiding mechanism to aid your readers to understand the structure of your written report and the flow of your arguments.
	Giving a preview of the overall structure of the document	The introduction usually ends with a preview, through which readers can obtain a clear idea of what will be covered in your written report.
	Reiteration of the writer’s standpoint	To restate your stance in different parts of the written report.
	Illustrating the problem with the support of academic references	An explanation of problems/ concepts/ arguments should be supported with high-quality academic sources.
	Use of citation verbs	Citation verbs can reflect the stance of a writer towards an argument. In this case, the verb “state” indicates the neutrality of the writer in relation to the BARB report.
	Use of hedging devices	Hedging devices can tone down the intensity of an argument. They are particularly useful when a discussion involves certain contentious views.
	An advanced lexical phrase: meaning “not worried because you are sure that nothing bad will happen”	The use of advanced lexical phrases can help establish an academic tone and set a formal register in your written report.
	Complexity of the situation, suggesting the significance of the teething problem	By pointing out the complexity of the situation, you can indicate the significance or necessity of the discussion in your written report.
	Use of statistical information	The use of statistical information can help consolidate your arguments and help readers visualize certain abstract concepts.

CAES1000 time!

Academic Challenges!

Academic reports are one of the many written genres that you will need to write during your university study. These types of academic texts have certain language features which are important to include. In the excerpt below, match the various coloured sections to the explanation on the right.

Reality TV Shows and their Impacts on Children

Your final score : 100%

Academic reports are one of the many written genres that you will need to write in your university study. These types of academic texts have certain language features which are important to include. In the excerpt below, match the various coloured sections to the explanation on the right.

Reality TV Shows and their Impacts on Children