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DIM Doktorantura FL study materials
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DIM Doktorantura FL practice questions

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Question 1Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read the sentence: 'The committee, after reviewing all submissions, decided to postpone the announcement.' What is the grammatical subject of the main verb 'decided'?

  1. all submissions
  2. the announcement
  3. reviewing
  4. The committee Correct answer.

Explanation

The main clause is 'The committee decided to postpone the announcement'. The phrase 'after reviewing all submissions' is a participial modifier inserted between the subject and the verb, so the subject remains 'The committee'.

Question 2Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: 'By the time the results were published, the research team ____ the experiment three times.'

  1. repeated
  2. was repeating
  3. had repeated Correct answer.
  4. has repeated

Explanation

The past perfect ('had repeated') expresses an action completed before another past event ('were published'). The time phrase 'by the time' signals this earlier completion, which the simple past cannot convey on its own.

Question 3Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

In the sentence 'Neither the students nor the teacher was informed about the change', the verb agrees with which element?

  1. the whole sentence
  2. the teacher Correct answer.
  3. both elements equally
  4. the students

Explanation

With 'neither ... nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject. Here the nearer subject is the singular 'teacher', so the singular verb 'was' is correct.

Question 4Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which word best completes the sentence? 'The findings were ____ enough to challenge the dominant theory in the field.'

  1. significance
  2. significantly
  3. signify
  4. significant Correct answer.

Explanation

The gap follows the verb 'were' and precedes 'enough', so an adjective is required to describe the findings. 'Significant' is the adjective form; the others are an adverb, a noun and a verb.

Question 5Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

What is the main purpose of a thesis abstract in an academic article?

  1. To summarise the aim, method and findings concisely Correct answer.
  2. To list every reference consulted
  3. To argue at length with opposing scholars
  4. To present raw data tables in full

Explanation

An abstract is a short, self-contained summary placed at the start of a paper. It states the research aim, the method used and the main findings so readers can decide whether to read further.

Question 6Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

In a lecture, a speaker says: 'This brings me to my second point.' What is the speaker mainly doing?

  1. Asking the audience a question
  2. Correcting an earlier mistake
  3. Signalling a transition in the talk Correct answer.
  4. Ending the presentation

Explanation

The phrase 'this brings me to my second point' is a discourse marker that signals movement to a new section of the talk. It helps listeners follow the structure of the lecture.

Question 7Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence uses the correct preposition in an academic context?

  1. The study focuses at the causes of migration.
  2. The study focuses on the causes of migration. Correct answer.
  3. The study focuses in the causes of migration.
  4. The study focuses for the causes of migration.

Explanation

The verb 'focus' is followed by the preposition 'on' when introducing its object. This collocation is fixed, so 'focus on the causes' is the only standard form.

Question 8Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

A writer wants to connect two contrasting ideas in one sentence. Which connector is appropriate?

  1. Therefore
  2. Moreover
  3. However Correct answer.
  4. Similarly

Explanation

'However' introduces a contrast or concession between two ideas. The other options express addition, consequence or similarity, which do not convey opposition.

Question 9Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'Although the sample was small, the authors caution against generalising the results.' What do the authors advise?

  1. That the sample should be ignored
  2. That the study should be repeated immediately
  3. That the results should not be widely generalised Correct answer.
  4. That the results apply everywhere

Explanation

The verb 'caution against' means to warn against doing something. The authors therefore warn readers not to generalise the findings beyond the small sample.

Question 10Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Choose the best completion: 'The researcher ____ her data before drawing any conclusions.'

  1. carefully analysis
  2. careful analysis
  3. carefully analysed Correct answer.
  4. careful analysed

Explanation

An adverb is needed to modify the verb 'analysed', giving 'carefully analysed'. The adjective 'careful' cannot modify a verb, and 'analysis' is a noun, not a verb form.

Question 11Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence correctly reports what a researcher said? Original: 'We will publish the data next month.'

  1. The researcher said they are publishing the data next month.
  2. The researcher said they would publish the data the following month. Correct answer.
  3. The researcher said they will publish the data next month.
  4. The researcher said they publish the data next month.

Explanation

In reported speech after a past reporting verb, 'will' shifts to 'would' and 'next month' shifts to 'the following month'. This backshift keeps the time reference consistent with the past frame.

Question 12Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'The correlation was strong, yet the authors stopped short of claiming causation.' What does this imply?

  1. The authors proved that one factor caused the other
  2. The correlation was actually weak
  3. The authors rejected their own data
  4. The authors avoided asserting a causal link Correct answer.

Explanation

'Stopped short of claiming causation' means the authors did not go as far as asserting a cause-and-effect relationship. They reported a strong correlation but deliberately avoided a causal claim.

Question 13Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which option is the most formal and appropriate way to open a complaint in academic correspondence?

  1. Hey, your journal messed up my submission.
  2. You people really need to sort this out.
  3. I am writing to express my concern regarding the delay in the review process. Correct answer.
  4. Just letting you know things are going badly.

Explanation

Formal academic correspondence uses polite, impersonal framing such as 'I am writing to express my concern regarding'. This maintains a professional register and states the issue clearly.

Question 14Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Listen to this excerpt: 'The results were, shall we say, less than conclusive.' What is the speaker's attitude?

  1. Enthusiastic approval
  2. Anger at the audience
  3. Complete certainty
  4. Polite scepticism Correct answer.

Explanation

The hedging phrase 'shall we say' and the litotes 'less than conclusive' soften a negative judgement. The speaker diplomatically signals doubt about how conclusive the results were.

Question 15Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence uses the passive voice most appropriately for an academic methods section?

  1. The samples were heated to 200 degrees for one hour. Correct answer.
  2. Somebody heated the samples to 200 degrees for one hour.
  3. We heated the samples to 200 degrees for one hour, obviously.
  4. The samples got hot at 200 degrees for one hour.

Explanation

The passive with an agentless construction is conventional in methods sections because the procedure matters more than who performed it. It also keeps the focus on the samples as the topic.

Question 16Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'While urbanisation often drives economic growth, it can simultaneously strain public infrastructure.' What relationship does the sentence establish?

  1. Growth and infrastructure strain can occur together Correct answer.
  2. Economic growth eliminates infrastructure problems
  3. Urbanisation always prevents growth
  4. Infrastructure strain causes urbanisation

Explanation

The concessive 'while' plus 'simultaneously' shows that two effects can coexist: growth and strain on infrastructure. The sentence presents a trade-off rather than a single cause.

Question 17Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Choose the correct conditional: 'If the hypothesis ____ supported by further evidence, it would gain wider acceptance.'

  1. will be
  2. were Correct answer.
  3. has been
  4. is

Explanation

The main clause uses 'would gain', which marks a hypothetical second conditional. The if-clause therefore takes the past subjunctive 'were' to express an unreal or tentative condition.

Question 18Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

In academic writing, what is the function of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

  1. To introduce an unrelated example
  2. To cite the final reference
  3. To summarise the entire article
  4. To state the paragraph's central claim Correct answer.

Explanation

A topic sentence states the main idea that the rest of the paragraph develops. It gives readers a clear focus and helps maintain coherence within the paragraph.

Question 19Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Listen: 'I'd like to begin by outlining the scope of the problem, and then move on to possible solutions.' What will the speaker do first?

  1. Conclude the talk
  2. Propose solutions
  3. Answer questions
  4. Define the problem's scope Correct answer.

Explanation

The sequence marker 'begin by' identifies the first step, which is outlining the scope of the problem. Solutions are explicitly placed after that, using 'and then'.

Question 20Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence contains a correctly formed non-defining relative clause?

  1. The theory, that was proposed in 1990, remains influential.
  2. The theory, who was proposed in 1990, remains influential.
  3. The theory which was proposed in 1990, remains influential.
  4. The theory, which was proposed in 1990, remains influential. Correct answer.

Explanation

Non-defining relative clauses are set off by commas and take 'which' for things, never 'that'. Only option 1 uses the correct pronoun and punctuation together.

Question 21Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'The author's tone is best described as measured; she acknowledges counterarguments before defending her position.' Which word captures the tone?

  1. Balanced Correct answer.
  2. Hostile
  3. Sarcastic
  4. Indifferent

Explanation

Acknowledging opposing views before defending a position indicates a balanced, considered tone. 'Measured' reinforces this sense of restraint and fairness in argument.

Question 22Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which revision best improves cohesion? Original: 'The data were incomplete. The conclusion was weak.'

  1. The data were incomplete; consequently, the conclusion was weak. Correct answer.
  2. The data were incomplete, and the conclusion was weak.
  3. The data were incomplete. The conclusion was weak, however.
  4. The data were incomplete, but the conclusion was weak.

Explanation

The second sentence is a logical consequence of the first, so a result connector such as 'consequently' makes the relationship explicit. The semicolon correctly joins the two related clauses.

Question 23Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'Notwithstanding the methodological limitations, the study offers a compelling framework for future inquiry.' Which statement is closest in meaning?

  1. The study has no limitations at all.
  2. The study's framework removes its limitations.
  3. Because of its limitations, the study is worthless.
  4. Despite its limitations, the study provides a valuable framework. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Notwithstanding' means 'in spite of', so the sentence concedes the limitations while affirming the study's value. Option 2 preserves both the concession and the positive claim.

Question 24Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Listen: 'Far from settling the debate, the new evidence has only deepened it.' What does the speaker mean?

  1. The evidence resolved the debate
  2. The debate had already ended
  3. The evidence made the debate more intense Correct answer.
  4. The evidence was ignored by researchers

Explanation

The construction 'far from X, Y' means that instead of X happening, the opposite occurred. Here, rather than settling the debate, the evidence intensified it.

Question 25Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'The correlation was robust across subsamples; the authors nonetheless refrain from causal language.' Which inference is best supported?

  1. The authors are cautious about causal interpretation despite consistent results. Correct answer.
  2. The subsamples produced contradictory results.
  3. The authors doubt the reliability of their own correlation.
  4. The authors believe causation has been proven.

Explanation

'Robust across subsamples' indicates consistent findings, while 'nonetheless refrain from causal language' shows deliberate caution. The best inference combines reliability of the correlation with restraint about causation.

Question 26Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read the sentence: 'The committee, which met on Friday, approved the proposal.' Which element is the non-defining relative clause?

  1. on Friday
  2. The committee
  3. which met on Friday Correct answer.
  4. approved the proposal

Explanation

A non-defining relative clause adds extra, non-essential information and is set off by commas. Here 'which met on Friday' is bracketed by commas and can be removed without changing the core meaning that the committee approved the proposal.

Question 27Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Choose the option that best completes the sentence: 'The findings ____ that early intervention improves outcomes.'

  1. is suggesting
  2. has suggested
  3. suggests
  4. suggest Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject 'findings' is plural, so the present-tense verb must take the plural form 'suggest'. Subject-verb agreement requires the verb to match the number of its head noun.

Question 28Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'The sample was small; ____, the results were replicated in three independent laboratories.' Which connector fits the blank?

  1. nevertheless Correct answer.
  2. similarly
  3. moreover
  4. therefore

Explanation

The second clause contrasts a limitation with a positive outcome, so a concessive connector is needed. 'Nevertheless' signals that the replication happened despite the small sample.

Question 29Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence uses the article correctly?

  1. She conducted an experiment on the effects of noise. Correct answer.
  2. She conducted a experiment on the effects of noise.
  3. She conducted experiment on effects of noise.
  4. She conducted the experiment on a effects of noise.

Explanation

Singular countable nouns need a determiner, and 'an' is used before a vowel sound such as 'experiment'. The definite article 'the' correctly marks the specific, identifiable 'effects of noise'.

Question 30Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

A lecturer says: 'To sum up, three factors account for the decline.' What is the speaker doing?

  1. Correcting an earlier mistake
  2. Signalling a summary of key points Correct answer.
  3. Introducing a new research question
  4. Asking the audience for examples

Explanation

The phrase 'to sum up' is a discourse marker that announces a recap of the main points already presented. It tells listeners that the speaker is consolidating rather than adding new material.

Question 31Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. The results were clear; however, the sample was limited. Correct answer.
  2. The results were clear, however the sample was limited.
  3. The results were clear however, the sample was limited.
  4. The results were clear: however the sample was limited.

Explanation

When 'however' joins two independent clauses, it is a conjunctive adverb and needs a semicolon before it and a comma after it. This punctuation marks the boundary between the two clauses.

Question 32Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'The deadline for submissions has been extended to 15 May.' What information does the sentence convey?

  1. Submissions must be sent before 15 April.
  2. The submission system has closed permanently.
  3. Submissions are no longer accepted.
  4. Submissions are now due later than originally planned. Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb 'has been extended' indicates that the deadline has been moved to a later date. The new date, 15 May, therefore falls later than the original one.

Question 33Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The two variables are closely ____, rising and falling together.'

  1. contrasted
  2. correlated Correct answer.
  3. compared
  4. corresponding

Explanation

'Correlated' is the statistical term for a mutual relationship in which two variables change together. The clue 'rising and falling together' points directly to this meaning.

Question 34Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Choose the best completion: 'The lecture was so detailed ____ many students took extensive notes.'

  1. as
  2. then
  3. that Correct answer.
  4. which

Explanation

The 'so + adjective + that' pattern expresses a result or consequence. Here the detailed nature of the lecture results in students taking notes.

Question 35Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'The researchers acknowledge that their model simplifies reality; this caveat does not, however, undermine its explanatory power.' What is the writers' view of the model?

  1. It should be replaced by a more complex model.
  2. It is worthless because it oversimplifies.
  3. It remains useful despite being a simplification. Correct answer.
  4. It describes reality with complete accuracy.

Explanation

The writers concede a limitation but explicitly state that it does not weaken the model's explanatory power. The overall stance is therefore that the model is still valuable.

Question 36Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence reports the original most accurately? Original: 'The team may submit a revised manuscript.'

  1. The team might submit a revised manuscript. Correct answer.
  2. The team submitted a revised manuscript.
  3. The team had to submit a revised manuscript.
  4. The team must submit a revised manuscript.

Explanation

The modal 'may' expresses possibility, and 'might' preserves this sense of possibility when reporting. Accurate reporting keeps the original degree of certainty.

Question 37Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which option is the most appropriate way to express cautious academic hedging?

  1. The data always show an upward trend.
  2. The data prove a huge upward trend.
  3. The data appear to indicate a modest upward trend. Correct answer.
  4. The data obviously show the trend.

Explanation

Hedging uses cautious verbs and qualifiers such as 'appear to indicate' and 'modest' to avoid overstating claims. This matches the tentative register expected in academic writing.

Question 38Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Listen to this extract: 'The first approach is cheap but slow; the second is fast but costly.' What is the speaker doing?

  1. Recommending the first approach only
  2. Rejecting both approaches entirely
  3. Describing a single method in detail
  4. Weighing the trade-offs between two methods Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker balances a benefit against a drawback for each method, which is the language of trade-offs. This helps listeners compare options rather than commit to one.

Question 39Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Choose the correct form: 'Had the data been verified, the error ____ avoided.'

  1. has been
  2. would be
  3. will be
  4. would have been Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ('Had the data been verified' replaces 'If the data had been verified'). The main clause therefore takes 'would have + past participle'.

Question 40Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence uses the correct preposition with the adjective?

  1. The results are consistent of previous studies.
  2. The results are consistent on previous studies.
  3. The results are consistent to previous studies.
  4. The results are consistent with previous studies. Correct answer.

Explanation

The adjective 'consistent' is followed by the preposition 'with' to mean 'in agreement with'. Preposition choice after adjectives is fixed by convention and must be learned as a collocation.

Question 41Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'The report notes a rise in enrolment. It attributes this partly to online delivery and partly to reduced fees.' What does the report say caused the rise?

  1. Two contributing factors acting together Correct answer.
  2. Online delivery alone
  3. Reduced fees alone
  4. Neither of the two factors

Explanation

The phrase 'partly ... and partly ...' assigns partial causation to each of the two factors. Together they explain the rise, rather than either one alone.

Question 42Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence best maintains formal academic register?

  1. The study's findings are kinda worth looking into.
  2. The study's findings need a lot more digging.
  3. The study's findings are pretty cool.
  4. The study's findings warrant further investigation. Correct answer.

Explanation

Formal academic register favours precise, neutral vocabulary such as 'warrant further investigation'. Informal hedges and slang lower the register and are unsuitable for scholarly prose.

Question 43Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Choose the best completion: 'Not only ____ the theory but she also tested it empirically.'

  1. did she formulate Correct answer.
  2. she did formulate
  3. she formulated
  4. formulated she

Explanation

When a sentence begins with the negative adverbial 'not only', the subject and auxiliary invert. The auxiliary 'did' therefore precedes the subject 'she'.

Question 44Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

A speaker says: 'I'm afraid the data don't quite bear out that interpretation.' What does the speaker mean?

  1. The speaker is apologising for losing the data.
  2. The data have not yet been collected.
  3. The interpretation is completely confirmed.
  4. The evidence does not fully support the interpretation. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrasal verb 'bear out' means to confirm or support, and 'don't quite' softens the disagreement. The speaker is politely indicating only partial support for the interpretation.

Question 45Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'The author describes the policy as a qualified success.' What does 'qualified' most nearly mean here?

  1. Achieved very quickly
  2. Successful only to a limited degree Correct answer.
  3. Formally certified by an authority
  4. Achieved without any reservations

Explanation

In this evaluative sense, 'qualified' means limited or conditional, so a 'qualified success' is one with notable reservations. The adjective modifies the degree of success rather than certifying it.

Question 46Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'Critics who dismiss the reform as cosmetic overlook the administrative burden that the previous system imposed on applicants.' What is the writer's main point?

  1. The critics fail to consider a genuine benefit of the reform. Correct answer.
  2. The critics have carefully examined all the evidence.
  3. The reform is purely cosmetic and changes nothing.
  4. The previous system was less burdensome for applicants.

Explanation

The writer concedes that critics call the reform cosmetic but argues they 'overlook' a real improvement, namely reduced administrative burden. The main point is thus a criticism of the critics' incomplete assessment.

Question 47Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'The correlation held across every subgroup examined; the authors, cautious as ever, describe it as suggestive rather than conclusive.' Which inference is best supported?

  1. The authors reject the correlation as spurious.
  2. The authors regard the correlation as an established fact.
  3. The authors believe the pattern is promising but not yet proven. Correct answer.
  4. The authors think the subgroups were poorly chosen.

Explanation

The contrast between a consistent pattern and the careful label 'suggestive rather than conclusive' shows measured optimism. The authors see value in the finding while withholding a definitive claim.

Question 48Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly in a formal academic context?

  1. The board recommended that the grant was renewed.
  2. The board recommended that the grant be renewed. Correct answer.
  3. The board recommended that the grant is renewed.
  4. The board recommended that the grant will be renewed.

Explanation

After verbs of recommendation such as 'recommend', formal English uses the mandative subjunctive, whose base form is 'be' for all persons. This expresses a desired action rather than a stated fact.

Question 49Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

A lecturer says: 'One might object that this method ignores context. That objection has some force, but it does not overturn the central finding.' What is the lecturer's stance?

  1. The objection is irrelevant and should be ignored.
  2. The objection is valid but not decisive. Correct answer.
  3. The lecturer fully agrees with the objection.
  4. The objection completely invalidates the finding.

Explanation

Conceding that an objection 'has some force' acknowledges its validity, while saying it does not 'overturn' the finding limits its impact. The stance is therefore one of partial concession without surrender.

Question 50Xarici dil (reading, listening, writing, language use)

Read: 'Far from resolving the controversy, the new evidence has multiplied the questions it was meant to answer.' Which statement best captures the meaning?

  1. The evidence was irrelevant to the controversy.
  2. The evidence settled the controversy conclusively.
  3. The evidence answered the original questions fully.
  4. The evidence created more problems than it solved. Correct answer.

Explanation

The 'far from X, Y' construction sets up a contrast: instead of resolving the controversy, the evidence increased the number of open questions. The net effect is more problems, not fewer.