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Question:
Indicate means to show or signal something.
For example:
The beeping sound from the oven will indicate when the food is ready.
Surveys in the USA indicate that the Democrats are the political party which will probably win the next election.
signal
suggest
guess
point to
Which words below are closest in meaning to indicate? Choose the 3 correct answers.
Response:
The examples below illustrate the meaning of indicate.
He saw what happened.
He looked very nervous.
He changed his story often.
He was sweating a lot.
Which answers may indicate that a witness was not telling the truth? Choose the 3 correct answers.
When researchers write a report about their study, they usually do not use the word 'prove'. Instead, they use 'indicate'.
prove that something is definitely true.
show that something is probably true.
suggest that something may be true.
describe a trend towards a specific outcome.
Which answers below best complete the sentence? Choose the 3 correct answers.
When research data indicate something, they...
When data indicate something, they show or suggest that something might be true. In a research context, there could also be alternative explanations of what the data mean. This is why researchers don't use the word "prove", which means that something is definitely true.
The Use of "Hedges" in Academic Texts
In academic texts, the word indicate is often used as a "hedge". A "hedge" means that the writer uses a weaker word, for example "indicate" instead of a stronger word, like "prove". Another example of a hedge word is using the word "considerable" instead of "big". According to Prof. Ken Hyland, hedge words are a well-known feature of academic texts.
Why do writers use hedge words? Hyland's analyses of academic texts show these words enable writers to state their case with caution and precision. This helps writers to gain acceptance for their claims and reduce the chances of possible criticism and opposition to what they are claiming.
Read the paragraph and answer the question below.
probably true.
rejected.
supported by results of the experiments.
false.
Researchers conducted experiments on children's ability to concentrate in class. Results of these experiments indicate that eating breakfast helps children to concentrate on their studies.
Choose 2 correct answers that best complete the sentence.
According to the paragraph, we understand that the connection between eating breakfast and concentrating in class is…