The uploaded document is a course material titled “Use of English” for distance learners in the
Nigerian university system. It covers modules on study skills, language skills, grammatical units,
grammatical usage, registers, effective writing skills, and mechanics of writing. Below is a
breakdown and sample questions and answers based on the content:
General Overview of the Course
The course aims to equip students with English language communication skills, focusing on
study techniques, comprehension, grammar, and writing proficiency.
Example Questions and Answers (Modeled for Nigerian Lecturers)
1. Define study skills and list the essential factors for effective studying.
• Question:
• (a) What are study skills?
• (b) Mention three factors necessary for effective studying.
• Answer:
• (a) Study skills are activities undertaken to gain knowledge for solving problems
effectively.
• (b) The three factors are:
1. Mental and intellectual readiness.
2. A conducive learning environment.
3. Effective note-taking and reading strategies.
2. Differentiate between skimming and scanning.
• Question: Highlight two differences between skimming and scanning.
• Answer:
1. Skimming is used for gaining a general overview, while scanning focuses on
finding specific details.
2. Skimming involves reading quickly without re-reading sections, while scanning
searches for specific answers or information.
3. Explain the components of note-making.
• Question: What are the key guidelines for effective note-making?
• Answer:
• Conciseness and precision.
• Identification of the main subject, major points, and arguments.
• Writing in clear and legible handwriting for easy revision.
4. Describe the types of memory discussed in the course.
• Question: Differentiate between short-term and long-term memory.
• Answer:
• Short-term memory holds information temporarily before dismissing or
transferring it to long-term memory.
• Long-term memory retains information for extended periods, from days to years.
5. Discuss the importance of listening in communication.
• Question: State two differences between hearing and listening.
• Answer:
1. Hearing is a passive process requiring no conscious effort, while listening is
active and deliberate.
2. Hearing does not involve mental engagement, whereas listening involves
comprehension and interpretation.
6. Identify and correct bad listening habits.
• Question: List two bad listening habits and how to correct them.
• Answer:
1. Criticizing the speaker’s delivery—Focus on the message content rather than the
delivery style.
2. Faking attention—Actively engage with the speaker by summarizing key points
mentally.
7. Explain the mechanics of writing in English.
• Question: What are the functions of a full stop and an apostrophe in English
writing?
• Answer:
• A full stop is used to indicate the end of a declarative sentence.
• An apostrophe is used to show possession or indicate omitted letters in
contractions.
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