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PLU411S - PRINCIPLES OF LANGUAGE USE - 1ST OPP - NOVEMBER 2023 |
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n Am I BI A u n IVER s ITY
OF SCIEnCE AnoTECHn0L0GY
FACULTY OF COMMERCE, HUMAN SCIENCES AND EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGES
QUALIFICATION : VARIOUS
QUALIFICATION CODE: VARIOUS
COURSE CODE: PLU411S
SESSION: NOVEMBER2023
DURATION: 3 HOURS
LEVEL: 4
COURSE NAME: PRINCIPLESOF LANGUAGEUSE
PAPER: THEORY
MARKS: 100
FIRST OPPORTUNITY EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER
EXAMINER(S) DR R. NEKONGO
DRE. ITHINDI
MODERATOR: MR C. GWASIRA
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Answer ALL the questions.
2. Read all the questions carefully before answering.
3. Number the answers clearly
THIS QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF 10 PAGES (Including this front page)
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Section A
Reading Comprehension
Read the passage below and answer all the questions that follow.
[30 marks]
Artificial intelligence in Education
1
Education is an important part of life for everyone, and a good education plays a vital role to
have a successful life. In order to improve the education system for the students, there are always a
lot of changes happening around the world, ranging from the way of teaching to the type of
curriculum. Artificial Intelligence (Al) is a thriving technology that is being used in almost every field
and is changing the world. One place where artificial intelligence is poised to make big changes is in
Education.
2
Artificial Intelligence in Education is developing new solutions for teaching and learning for
different situations. Al in education has given a completely new perspective of looking at education
to teachers, students, parents, and of course, the educational institutions as well. Al in education is
not about humanoid robots as a teacher to replace human teachers, but it is about using computer
intelligence to help teachers and students and making the education system much better and
effective. In future, the education system will have lots of Al tools that will shape the educational
experience of the future. In this topic, we will discuss the impact and application of Artificial
Intelligence on Education. To better understand this topic, let's first understand what Artificial
Intelligence in Education (AIED) entails.
3
Firstly, let us start with an overview of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence (Al) is a
simulation of human intelligence into a computer machine so that it can think and act like a human. It
is a technology that helps a computer machine to think like a human. Artificial Intelligence aims to
mimic human behaviour, and it has various uses and applications in different sectors, including
education. In the 1970s, AIED has occurred as a specialist area to cover new technology to teaching
and learning, specifically for higher education. The main aim of AIED is to facilitate the learners with
flexible, personalised, and engaging learning along with the basic automated task. Some popular
trends in AIED include intelligent tutor systems, smart classroom technologies, adaptive learning, and
pedagogical agents.
4
In the education system, there are various activities which take lots of time of teachers, such
as grading tests and home-works. These tasks require lots of time and effort, while this time could be
used in interacting with students, letting them know their errors, teaching new things, and many more.
To save this time, Artificial Intelligence can be used. With Al tools, it is possible to automate the
grading system for nearly all types of multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-blank, and they are very
close to being able to grade written responses. However, Al is still not possible to truly replace human
grading, but it is getting improving day by day. By using Al, teachers will get more time to fill the gap
in their classroom rather than investing their time in these tedious tasks.
5
It is obvious that teachers cannot be present with students all the time while they study, as
teachers in colleges and universities have fixed timings. But each student is not smart enough to grasp
all the things at once, and they need additional supports from someone to help them in understanding
study material. This additional support can be provided by the Al tutors. Currently, there are various
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Al-driven tutoring programs that can help students in learning the basics of mathematics, writing, and
other subjects. With these Al programs, students can learn fundamentals, but still, they are not
suitable to learn high-level concepts of any subject. In order to learn such complex concepts, students
still require a professor. However, in future, it is possible that Al might be able to help students with
complex problems also that require analytical thinking and reasoning.
6
Al is not only helping the students to learn the customised course as per their requirements,
but it can also give feedback to both the teachers and students about the success level of the course.
Some online course providers are currently using such feedback-based Al systems to analyse the
progress of the student and also alert the professors for the critical performance issue of the student.
These type of Al-driven systems enable the student to get the proper support, and professors can
determine the areas of teaching where it requires improvement. Instant feedback to students helps
them understand where they are going wrong and how they can do it better.
7
With Al, it is possible to generate smart content in three ways. Firstly is digitalising
lessons. Nowadays, everything is becoming digital, and so is the education. Digital learning is being
preferred in colleges with customisation options, e-books, study guides, bite-sized lessons, and many
other things with the help of Al. Then, there is information visualisation in which things are visualised
rather than listening. Visualised information is easier to understand and is kept in mind for a long time.
With Artificial Intelligence, the study information can be perceived in new ways of visualisation, and
simulation. Moreover, updating learning content makes it smart. Al does not only assist with
preparation of the content of lessons; it keeps information up to date and make it adaptable as per
different learning curves.
8
One of the great uses of Artificial Intelligence of digital learning in education is universal access
to study material. Each student has his own grasping capability, and with the use of universal access,
they can learn anywhere and anytime. Students can explore' things whenever they want to learn
without waiting for the tutor. Moreover, students get the facility of high-quality courses and material
from all over the world at their place without travelling away from their home.
9
Artificial intelligence and its uses in our lives are growing day by day in many segments. In the
field of education, Al has started showing its influences and working as a helping tool for both the
students and teachers and supporting the learning process. But still, the use of Al in education is not
adopted by all the colleges and universities completely, and it will take a long journey to do this.
However, studies show that in the near future, Al will have a good impact on the education sector. It
is currently transforming the education industry but is yet to show its real potential in education.
Further, learning from computer systems can be much helpful, but it is unlikely to fully replace human
teaching in schools, colleges and universities.
Adapted from: https://www.javatpoint.com/artificial-intelligence-in-education
1. Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
1.1 According to the text, what are some popular trends in AIED?
A. Grading systems and written response evaluation
B. Smart classroom technologies and adaptive learning
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C. Eliminating human grading and replacing it with Al
D. Analysing the progress of students and providing instant feedback
(2)
1.2 How does Artificial Intelligence assist in grading in the education system?
A. Al can fully replace human grading for all types of questions.
B. Al can automate grading for multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-blank
responses.
C. Al cannot help with grading in any form.
D. Al currently grades all types of questions perfectly.
but not written
(2)
2. What do the following pronouns in bold refer to as they are used in the text above?
2.1 they (paragraph 4)
(2)
2.2 it (paragraph 9)
(2)
3. Explain the main goals of Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) for students as described
in the text, i.e. how it enhances the educational experience for students.
(3)
4. Let us assume that at a certain highly developed high school Al has already taken over
teachers' responsibilities of grading tests and home-works. Mention any other two activities
that teachers at this school are likely to be engaged in while Al is doing the grading, based on
this text.
(2)
5. Describe three ways in which Artificial Intelligence can generate smart content for
education.
(3
6. The text mentions that Al-driven tutoring programmes are currently suitable for teaching
fundamentals but not high-level concepts. What challenges does Al face in teaching complex
subjects? Explain.
(3)
7. Explain how universal access enabled by Al in education benefit students.
(3)
8. True/False questions. Say whether the following statements are True or False, based on the
information provided in the text.
8.1 According to the text, Al can fully replace human grading of written responses.
(1)
8.2 Al in education can provide instant feedback to students but not to professors.
(1)
8.3 The text suggests that while Al is transforming the education industry, it is unlikely to
fully replace human teaching in schools, colleges, and universities.
(1)
9. Vocabulary. Choose a word in the text that has the same meaning as the following:
9.1 ready or prepared for something (paragraph 1)
9.2 tiresome and frustrating because of length or dullness (paragraph 4)
9.3 modified to suit a particular individual or task (paragraph 6)
9.4 the act of imitating a situation or process by means of something (paragraph 7)
9.5 having or showing a strong desire to get more of something (paragraph 8)
(5)
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SECTIONB: GRAMMARAND LANGUAGEUSAGE
Read the text below in order to answer the questions that follow.
Gender-based violence as a social evil in Namibia
[30 MARKS]
1. One out of three women in Namibia have experienced gender-based violence in their lifetime or are
in an abusive relationship. 2. Gender-based violence (GBV) is thus a human rights issue of widespread
proportions in Namibia. 3. The most common forms of GBV in Namibia are sexual harassment and
rape, followed by domestic violence and then forced marriages. 4. These issues affect Namibian
women more than men disproportionately.
To begin with, rape was the most prevalent crime between January and April 2013, with 122 reported
cases. There were approximately 1075 reported cases of rape nationwide for each year from 2009 to
2012. However, the actual number of rapes and sexual harassment is likely much higher. Victims often
chooses not to report the crimes. This is due to fear of reprisal from the perpetrator, family pressure,
or societal stigma and discrimination. Furthermore, women and girls are overwhelmingly targeted by
rape and sexual violence. They account for 92% to 94% of complainants in reported rape cases. Also,
one third of rape victims are below the age of 18. Consequently, approximately 30% of young women
report their early sexual experiences prior to age 15 as forced. Rape and other forms of sexual violence
has negative consequences on the victims.
Another more pervasive form of GBV in Namibia is domestic violence perpetrated by an intimate
partner. Most of the crimes involving violence on women are perpetrated by men, because of the
unequal power relations between men and women. Another key contributor to domestic violence is
poverty. An influential theory explains that the relation between gender-based violence and poverty
is mediated through stress, since poverty is inherently stressful. It has been argued that poorer
households have fewer resources to reduce stress compared to households in the upper class. In the
final analysis, understanding the causes of intimate partner violence is a complex process since this
type of violence is a product of its social context.
Finally, forced marriages are not excluded from the most common forms of GBV in Namibia. Firstly,
poverty is one of the factors associated with marriage in which one or both parties have not personally
expressed their consent to the union, which in many cases is a recipe for GBV. In addition, women
often lack the necessary perceptions of self-efficacy and the social and economic ability to leave a
forced relationship and return to their family or live alone, which often leads to them being severely
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restrained in their ability to act against their abuser. Hence, financial independence of women can be
protective in some settings.
Adapted from Sister Namibia, https://sisternamibia.com/gender-based-violence/basic-gender-
information/ numbers-figures/
1. Analyse sentence 1 in the first paragraph carefully and identify the following parts of speech:
1.1 Two abstract nouns
(2)
1.2 A concrete noun
(1)
2. What parts of speech are the following words that are written in bold in paragraph 1? (3)
2.1 domestic
2.2 affect
2.3 disproportionately
3. Write any sentence of your choice in which you use a common noun, a verb, an adjective
and a preposition, in any correct order. Underline these four parts of speech.
(4)
4. Analyse paragraph 2 carefully. Identify and write down two instances in which the subject
does not agree with the verb. Write down only the subject and the wrong verb; do not copy
the whole sentence.
(2)
5. Decide whether the subject and the verb agree or disagree in the sentences numbered a. to
c. below.
(3)
a. The vast majority of victims of domestic violence is women.
b. These factors in turn leads to increased domestic violence among women.
c. Domestic violence perpetrated by an intimate partner is common occurrence in Namibia.
6. Assume that you disagree with the author of the text above. Change the sentence below
into negative form.
(2)
Sentence: An influential theory explains the relationship between gender-based violence
and poverty.
7. Change the sentence in Question 6 above into question form.
(2)
Sentence: An influential theory explains the relationship between gender-based violence
and poverty.
8. Change the sentence underlined in paragraph 4 into the tenses indicated below.
Sentence: Forced marriages are not excluded from the most common forms of GBV in
Namibia.
a. Past perfect tense
(2)
b. Future tense simple
(2)
9. Analyse the structure of the sentences below, that are taken from the text above, to
determine if the parts that are underlined are independent clauses or dependent clauses.
Write down only the letter and the answer of your choice; don't rewrite the sentences. (3)
a. The relation between gender-based violence and poverty is mediated through stress since
poverty is inherently stressful.
b. Poverty is one of the factors associated with forced marriage, which in many cases is a
recipe for GBV.
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c. Besides domestic violence and forced marriages, the most common forms of GBV in
Namibia are sexual harassment and rape.
10. Specify whether the sentences below that are based on the text above are simple,
compound, complex, or compound-complex. Write down only the letter and the answer of
your choice.
a. Domestic violence leaves lasting scars on survivors, and it perpetuates a cycle of pain and
suffering
(1)
b. Domestic violence has become a grave societal issue among both men and women in
many countries.
(1)
c. The legal system provides protection orders for victims of domestic violence, but it is
essential to also address the underlying causes, such as toxic relationships and economic
stressors.
(1)
d. Although domestic violence often goes unreported due to fear and manipulation by
abusers, it is crucial for society to provide support and resources to empower survivors to
break free from abusive situations.
(1)
SECTIONC: PARAGRAPHAND ESSAYANALYSIS
[30 MARKS]
Analyse the essay below based on the structure of an academic essay that you were taught in this
course and answer all the questions that follow.
The impact of social media on mental health
1
Social media has become an integral part of modern life, shaping the way we connect,
communicate, and consume information . .!! However, its pervasive presence has raised concerns
about its impact on mental health. Social media has multifaceted effects on mental well-being,
revealing both its potential benefits and detrimental consequences. Q While social media platforms
offer opportunities for social interaction and support, they also contribute to feelings of anxiety,
depression, and loneliness due to factors such as social comparison, cyberbullying, and addiction.
2
One of the primary ways in which social media affects mental health is through the
phenomenon of social comparison. Research by Tandoc and Ferrucci (2017) indicates that users often
compare their lives to carefully curated, idealised representations on social media, leading to feelings
of inadequacy. For instance, scrolling through friends' vacation photos or posts about personal
achievements may trigger a sense of competition and self-doubt. As a result, individuals may
experience increased levels of anxiety and depression, feeling as if they fall short of the seemingly
perfect lives of others. This aspect of social media highlights the need for a closer examination of its
potential harm. Additionally, social media platforms often use algorithms that prioritise popular or
attention-grabbing content, creating a skewed perception of reality. The constant exposure to
sensationalised or exaggerated information can intensify feelings of inadequacy it contributes to the
negative impact on mental health.
3
Furthermore, cyberbullying on social media platforms has emerged as a significant threat to
mental well-being. A study by Hinduja and Patchin (2018) found that cyberbullying victims often
experience heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The anonymity provided by social
media can embolden bullies, it makes it challenging for victims to escape the harassment. This
situation exacerbates the negative impact on their mental health. Additionally, the relentless nature
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of online communication can lead to prolonged exposure to cyberbullying, intensifying its
consequences. Thus, besides social comparison, cyberbullying demonstrates the darker side of on line
interactions. Moreover, it is essential to recognise that social media enables the rapid spread of
harmful content. This makes it challenging to control or mitigate cyberbullying effectively. This aspect
of social media underscores the urgent need for improved online safety measures and mental health
support for victims. Globally, adolescents are also at a high risk of physical bullying and intimidation.
4
Social media addiction is also a growing concern, with implications for mental health. Research
by Kuss and Griffiths (2017) suggests that excessive social media use can lead to addiction-like
symptoms, including withdrawal and neglect of real-life responsibilities. Individuals may find
themselves compulsively checking their social media accounts, neglecting other important aspects of
their lives, such as work, relationships, and self-care. This addiction can result in increased feelings of
isolation and loneliness, as individuals prioritise online interactions over in-person relationships.
Consequently, the overuse of social media can disrupt the healthy balance necessary for mental well-
being. Furthermore, studies have indicated that the constant notifications and stimuli from social
media can negatively affect sleep patterns. The consequences are sleep disturbances and increased
stress levels. These sleep-related issues further contribute to the decline in mental health among
heavy social media users.
5
Despite these challenges, social media can also offer benefits for mental health when used
mindfully. A study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology (2013) found that online
support communities can provide valuable emotional support to individuals facing mental health
issues. These communities offer a space where individuals can share their experiences, seek advice,
and find solace in the company of those who understand their struggles. Such platforms can reduce
feelings of isolation and provide a sense of belonging. Demonstrating the potential for positive impact.
Moreover, social media has the power to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote
destigmatisation. When individuals and celebrities openly discuss their mental health struggles on
these platforms, it can encourage others to seek help and support, reducing the sense of shame often
associated with mental health challenges. This, in turn, contributes to a more supportive and
understanding online community. It is not thus debatable that social media poses significant
challenges to mental well-being.
6
Thus, it is essential to recognise that social media's influence on mental health is not solely
negative. While it poses significant challenges, it also offers valuable opportunities for connection,
support, and advocacy. To navigate this digital landscape successfully, individuals must be aware of
these potential pitfalls, exercise moderation, and leverage the positive aspects of social media for their
mental well-being. The evolving relationship between social media and mental health underscores the
need for ongoing research and responsible usage.
Source:.Adapted from: GPT-3.5, developed by OpenAI, September 2023,
https://chat.openai.com/c/45514d41-cd6c-4636-9ed2-b925b366blad
1. Which of the sentences numbered A to D in Paragraph 1 presents the thesis statement of this
essay? Write down only the correct letter.
(2)
2. In the introduction, the writer
A uses an anecdote
B presents facts and statistics
C moves from general to specific
D uses a famous quote
(1)
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3. List down three main ideas presented in the body paragraphs of the essay above. Do not copy full
sentences; use meaningful key words only.
(3)
4. Identify and write down
4.1 An irrelevant sentence in paragraph 3
(2)
4.2 An irrelevant sentence in paragraph 5
(2)
5. Analyse paragraph 2 carefully and identify the following:
5.1 A transitional word or phrase used to exemplify
(1)
5.2 A transitional word or phrase used to show consequence
(1)
6. Identify four transitional words that are used to connect ideas within paragraph 4.
(4)
7. Analyse paragraph 3 carefully. Identify the topic sentence and do the following:
7.1 Write down the topic of the topic sentence of this paragraph.
(2)
7.2 Write down the controlling idea as illustrated in the topic sentence.
(2)
8. Analyse paragraph 4 carefully and choose two supporting statements that support the main idea
presented in the paragraph. Write down only the correct letters.
A.
Social media addiction is also a growing concern.
B.
Excessive social media use can lead to addiction-like symptoms.
C.
Sleep patterns can be negatively affected by constant notifications and stimuli from social
media.
D.
Decline in mental health among heavy social media users.
(2)
9. Analyse paragraph 5 carefully and choose two supporting statements that support the main idea
presented in the paragraph. Write down only the correct letters.
A.
Online support communities can provide valuable emotional support.
B.
Social media has the power to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote
destigmatisation.
C.
Social media can also offer benefits for mental health.
D.
Celebrities discuss their mental health struggles openly on social media platforms.
(2)
10. Identify and write down a sentence fragment in paragraph 5.
(2)
11. Decide whether the sentence underlined in paragraph 2 is a sentence fragment, run-on or
comma splice.
(1)
12. Rewrite the sentence in question 11 above, underlined in paragraph 2, so that it is grammatically
correct.
(1)
14. 1 Identify and write down a sentence error in paragraph 3.
(1)
14.2 Specify what type of an error the sentence you identified in 14.1 above is.
(1)
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SECTION D: PARAGRAPH WRITING
[10 MARKS]
Imagine you are writing a complete essay. Choose one of the topics below and write one of its body
paragraphsto demonstrate your understanding of how a good body paragraph should be structured.
Your paragraph should be 100 to 150 words. NB: You are not asked to write a complete essay. Pay
attention to the structure, coherence, punctuation, and other aspects of language usage.
1. There is heavy dependence on alcohol and drugs today. Explain how you think life would be
globally just for a day without any alcohol and drugs.
2. My dream world. Write an essay in which you describe three things you would like to see in
your dream world.
3. Overuse of mobile phones is destroying family life. Explain.
4. I regret stealing confidential information from my best friend's cell phone. Narrate.
5. The best African music artist that I admire. Choose one music star from any African country
whom you admire and explain why you admire them.
10