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ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES

Lesson 5 – Reference Questions

Reference questions ask what noun (called the referent) a pronoun or some other expression refers
to. The correct answer is not always the noun that is closest to the pronoun in the passage. Incorrect
choices are usually other nouns that appear in the passage. If you are unable to decide immediately
which answer is correct, substitute the four choices for the word that is being asked about. Which
one is the most logical substitute?
In general, reference questions tend to be the easiest type of reading question.

Sample Item
There is a poisonous, plant-like animal called the
anemone that lives among coral reefs. When small fish
venture too close to the tentacles of these "living
(line) flowers;' they are stung and eaten. For unknown reasons,
(5) the anemone makes an exception of the clownfish, which
swims through its deadly tentacles in safety. When in
danger, the clownfish dashes among the anemone's
tentacles where other fish are afraid to follow. The
clownfish even builds its nest where the anemone can
protect it.

1. The word "they" in line 4 refers to
(A) coral reefs
(B) small fish
(C) tentacles
(D) flowers
Of the four choices, only "small fish" is a logical answer.
2. The word "it" in line 10 is a reference to the
(A) clownfish
(B) nest
(C) anemone
(D) exception
Only the word "nest" is a logical substitute for "it." ...

Exercise 48.1

Focus: Identifying the referents for pronouns and other expressions in sentences and very
short passages.
Directions: Read the items. Decide which choice is the correct referent for the underlined
word, and mark the answer. The first one is done as an example.

1. Detergents clean clothes by first removing particles of dirt from the fabric, then
suspending the particles until they can be washed away.
___ (A) clothes
_√_ (B) particles of dirt
___ (C) detergents

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