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English Discourse Analysis — LET Practice Questions

Discourse analysis questions cover how language works above the sentence level — cohesion, coherence, speech acts, conversation analysis, and pragmatics. The LET often presents a dialogue or text and asks about its discourse features.

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Sample questions with answers and explanations

Sample 1

Which is considered fallacy in a debate?

Answer: B

A fallacy is a thinking mistake that makes an argument look strong even when it isn't. Attacking the person instead of the idea is called ad hominem, and it tricks the audience into rejecting an argument because of who said it. In a real debate, you should respond to what the other person said, not to who they are. Saying 'You're wrong because you're rude' does not prove the idea is wrong.

Tip: 'Ad hominem' = 'to the person.' If the attack targets the speaker, not the argument, it is a fallacy.

Why the other choices are wrong
  • A. Statistics are real evidence; using data to back a claim is good debate practice, not a fallacy.
  • C. Analogies are a normal teaching and persuasion tool, not flawed reasoning.
  • D. Recognizing the other side and answering it shows fair, strong reasoning, the opposite of a fallacy.

Sample 2

What is the purpose of cross-examination in a debate?

Answer: C

Cross-examination is a question-and-answer round where one debater asks the opponent direct questions. The goal is to make the other side's argument clearer and to expose weak spots through their own answers. It is not the time for long speeches or new evidence; it is for short, pointed questions. Think of it like a courtroom lawyer questioning a witness.

Tip: Cross-examination = 'Q&A to clarify and probe,' not a speech.

Why the other choices are wrong
  • A. Challenging the argument happens in the rebuttal speech, not through Q&A; cross-exam clarifies through questions.
  • B. New evidence belongs in constructive speeches; cross-exam is for asking questions, not presenting proof.
  • D. Summarizing the debate is the job of the closing statement, not cross-examination.

Sample 3

Which of the following is an example of a research question that could be explored using a discourse analysis approach?

Answer: C

Discourse analysis studies how people use language in real talk and writing to build meaning, power, and identity. Asking how gender identities are 'constructed' in language fits perfectly because it looks at the words, phrases, and patterns people use to perform being male, female, or other identities. The other questions ask about causes or outcomes, which usually call for surveys or experiments. Discourse analysis is about close reading of language in use.

Tip: 'How is X constructed in language?' is a classic discourse-analysis prompt.

Why the other choices are wrong
  • A. Impact of technology on SLA usually calls for experimental or quantitative methods, not discourse analysis.
  • B. The role of motivation is best studied through surveys or interviews, not by analyzing texts.
  • D. Asking what 'factors contribute' to outcomes is a quantitative-style question, often correlational or regression-based.
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