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Reporting Verb Exercises
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Understanding Reporting Verbs

Reporting verbs are frequently used in in a variety academic genres, particularly in the literature review, summaries and synthesis. It is important to know how reporting verbs differ in meaning. This will help you

• understand an author’s viewpoint
• express your own viewpoint effectively.

TASK 1A) Match the reporting verbs with its definition

TASK 1B) Match the reporting verbs with its definition

TASK 2A: Gap Fill

Read the following sentences and write in the correct form of the most suitable verb from the list below.

speculate demonstrate accuse recommend inquire
claim consider inform guarantee advise
  1. “I would like to inquire about the recreational facilities available in this hotel”.
  2. The principal informed the teachers of the meeting time.
  3. She watched the movie because Sam recommended it.
  4. Prior to the release of the coroner’s report, it was speculated that Richard’s death was caused by an overdose of narcotics.
  5. Walter considered the possible consequences before he decided to defy his parents’ wishes and attend the protests.
  6. Claire claimed that she was innocent.
  7. Ryan guaranteed that he would be able to hand in the assignment on time.
  8. He accused me of stealing his money.
  9. As it was raining heavily outside, he advised me to take an umbrella.
  10. “I would like to demonstrate to the class what I learnt in taekwondo”.

TASK 2B: Gap Fill

Read the following sentences and write in the correct form of the most suitable verb from the list below.

  1. Ben encouraged him to try out for the debating team.
  2. Since it was raining heavily, I suggested we dine at home.
  3. Details of the accident could not be revealed to the public.
  4. His victory today shows that his gold medal was not a stroke of luck.
  5. “I guess it does look wonderful”, he conceded .
  6. I am so grateful toward Ben because he agreed to help me.
  7. Jenny filed her case to the district court because she disagreed with the verdict.
  8. The doctor reported the results of the health assessment.
  9. Thick clouds forming in the sky indicates that there is a storm coming.
  10. “We will arrive in about 40 minutes, according to the GPS”.
  11. His research paper critiques the difference in education policies and schooling practices in Hong Kong and Japan.
  12. Mr. Tong refuted the claims of the lawsuit filed against him.

When using reporting verbs in writing, it is important to know its functions. Reporting verbs may be used to comment on someone’s works, agree or disagree on someone’s idea, or explain someone’s research.

In addition to its functions, reporting verbs also differ in terms of their strength; for example, 'to suggest' is much weaker, and more tentative, than 'to argue'. The two verbs convey very different pictures about how the author you are studying sees his or her materials and research.

For example:

  Tentative Neutral Strong
Suggestion allege
speculate 		advise
postulate 		assert
urge

TASK 3

Fill in the table with each reporting verb below into its correct function and strength categories.

This task will help you to better understand the different functions and use of reporting verbs.

TASK 4: Gap fill

Choose the most suitable reporting verb to use in the given examples.

  1. With the recent cases of Ebola made known in America, the Minister of Health ________________ that every protective measure will be taken in order to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
    • guaranteed
    • questioned
    • suggested
  2. Some anti-Occupy Central protestor’s ___________ that the demonstrations are depriving the general public of their rights to the use of roads and public facilities.
    • argue
    • retort
    • deny
  3. The police chief of Hong Kong _______________ yesterday that excessive force was use on a protestor and that a complaint had been filed to the commission.
    • answered
    • acknowledged
    • convinced
  4. The World Health Organisation yesterday ____________ that although Ebola virus is constantly changing its genetic makeup, its mode of transmission has yet to change.
    • proposed
    • reported
    • answered
  5. With a planned reduction in interest rates in the USA, investors in Hong Kong __________ whether the housing prices will fall to a new low.
    • remark
    • question
    • estimate
  6. In his research on genetic mutation, Chan (1999) _________ that the duplication of the ABC gene is responsible for the development of Huntington’s disease.
    • shows
    • recognise
    • persuades
  7. Professor David Saunders ____________ the spread of Ebola as “a numbers game, the more cases you have the more likely there are going to be mutations”. (SCMP 16/10/2014)
    • demonstrates
    • describes
    • answers
  8. In his research on the geological location of tectonic plates , Brims (2013) ___________ the claims made by Wellington that Mount Fuji will erupt again and asserts the results show that “an eruption happening is impossible”.
    • declares
    • dismisses
    • reports
  9. According to his studies, Pope (2014) (1)__________ that the government needs to gain control over the borders by maintaining strict border protection policies. He (2)____________ that although the maintenance will cause a temporary budget deficit, it is preferable that it is maintained, as the issue may decrease in the future because of the deterrence of potential immigrants and also discouragement people smugglers

    (1)(2)
    • questions
    • believes
    • answers
    • persuades
    • states
    • says
    • questions
    • believes
    • answers
    • persuades
    • states
    • says

Functions of Reporting Verbs

When using reporting verbs in writing, it is important to know its functions. Reporting verbs may be used to comment on someone’s works, agree or disagree on someone’s idea, or explain someone’s research.

Task 5: Multiple Choice Questions

In the statements below, select the function (A-D) of the bolded reporting verb.

  1. Butter (2010) comments the use of eLearning materials is beneficial for discipline specific English.
    1. argument
    2. disagreement
    3. discussion
    4. agreement
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.
  2. Camper (2010), in his study on evolution, challenges Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection
    1. argument
    2. disagreement
    3. discussion
    4. agreement
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.
  3. In his most recent research, Butters (2010) clarifies that the Y chromosome represents 2% of the total DNA in a male cell.
    1. conclusion
    2. description
    3. evaluation
    4. explanation
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.
  4. Liu (2013) rejects the findings that bacteria can be used to fight tooth decay.
    1. advice
    2. agreement
    3. argument
    4. disagreement
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.
  5. The research published in the Chinese Journal of Applied Physics in 2014, settled that sulphur is the lone chemical produced by the Ball Lightning Phenomenon.
    1. addition
    2. conclusion
    3. discussion
    4. evaluation
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.
  6. Angus (1998) claims that those who are bilingual are able to access their left brain more easily than those who are monolingual.
    1. believing
    2. conclusion
    3. advice
    4. disagreement
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.
  7. In his paper, Dean (1997) questions whether the assassination of President Reed was indeed a conspiracy.
    1. emphasis
    2. explanation
    3. disagreement
    4. suggestion
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.
  8. In their most recent study on the relationship between eLearning and University studies, Mill and Boon (2010) report that eLearning materials do not assist tertiary students in fulfilling course outcomes.
    1. suggestion
    2. presentation
    3. emphasis
    4. believing
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.
  9. On the spread of Ebola virus, Banbury (2014) comments that “the world would face an entirely unprecedented situation for which we do not have plan”.
    1. evaluation
    2. discussion
    3. questioning
    4. persuasion
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.
  10. Jeffrey (2012) admits that the government needs to take further action to contain the Ebola outbreak.
    1. agreement
    2. believing
    3. examination
    4. presentation
    (Correct answer is highlighted.)
    Correct answer is highlighted.

Task 6: Error/Grammar Correction –

Each sentence below contains an error. Decide what you think the error is and then click on ‘Answer’ to see if you are right.

  1. 1) Baker (2010), in his research suggest the idea that all life on earth has a common ancestor. (1)
    Baker (2010), in his research suggests the idea that all life on earth has a common ancestor.
  2. 2) Angus (1998) believe those that are bilingual are able to access their left brain more easily than those who are monolingual. (2)
    Angus (1998) believes that bilinguals are able to access their left brain more easily than those who are monolingual.
  3. 3) According to Rodney (2012), he state that second language acquisition should occur in conjunction with a toddler’s first language. (1)
    According to Rodney (2012), second language acquisition should occur in conjunction with a toddler’s first language.
  4. 4) Dean (1997), question whether that the assassination of President Reed was indeed a conspiracy. (2)
    Dean (1997) questions whether the assassination of President Reed was indeed a conspiracy.
  5. 5) Rodney, in his researches, suggest that by 2150 three quarter of the worlds’ population will not have access to clean drinking water (2010). (2)
    Rodney (2010), in his researches, suggests that by 2150 three quarters of the world’s population will not have access to clean drinking water.
  6. 6) Brims and Case (2010) agree with each other the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions is by producing more energy from natural resources, and using fuels that emit less carbon fuels. (1)
    Brims and Case (2010) agree with each other that the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions is by producing more energy from natural resources, and using fuels that emit less carbon fuels.
  7. 7) In their most recent study on the relationship between eLearning and University studies, Mill (2010)and Boon (2010) report that eLearning materials do not assistant to tertiary students in fulfilling course outcomes. (2)
    In their most recent study on the relationship between eLearning and University studies, Mill and Boon (2010) report that eLearning materials do not assist to tertiary students in fulfilling course outcomes.
  8. 8) On the spread of Ebola virus, Mr. Banbury comments “the world would face an entirely unprecedented situation for which we do not have a plan”. (1)
    On the spread of Ebola virus, Banbury (2014) comments that “the world would face an entirely unprecedented situation for which we do not have a plan”.
  9. 9) Rudby (2010) defines language policy “a body of ideas, law, regulations and practices” that can be used to achieve planned language changes in society. (1)
    Rudby (2010) defines language policy as “a body of ideas, law, regulations and practices” that can be used to achieve planned language changes in society.
  10. 10) In his research, Popp (2014) investigates whether pragmatic transfer make it difficult for member of one cultures to learn the communicative strategies of another culture due to the linguistics differences.(1)
    In his research, Popp (2014) investigates whether pragmatic transfer makes it difficult for member of one cultures to learn the communicative strategies of another culture due to the linguistics differences.
  11. 11) According to Weir (1990), information transfer techniques is used to minimise the time spended on writing skills so that more focus can be place on reading contexts and transcribing the information into graphs (2)
    According to Weir (1990), information transfer techniques are used to minimise the time spent on writing skills so that more focus can be place on reading contexts and transcribing the information into graphs.
  12. 12) Brim (1997) maintains through the political domination and enforcement of a Mandarin language policy Mandarin, effectively promoted as the official and national language at the cost of the suppression of Taiwan’s ethnic languages. (1)
    Brim (1997) maintains that through the political domination and enforcement of a Mandarin language policy Mandarin, effectively promoted as the official and national language at the cost of the suppression of Taiwan’s ethnic languages.
  13. 13) Some people subscribe the idea that water retention in the legs causes cell poisoning and cancer but Howard (2007) book refutes this claim. (2)
    Some people subscribe to the idea that water retention in the legs causes cell poisoning and cancer but Howard’s (2007) book refutes this claim.
  14. 14) According to Chan in (2011), listening exercises are used to train a student’s sound perception skill through increasing there knowledge and ability to identify how sound is produce and affect by the manner and place of articulation. (3)
    According to Chan in (2011), listening exercises are used to train a student’s sound perception skill through increasing their knowledge and ability to identify how sound is produce and affected by the manner and place of articulation.
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