English Questions Research Articles

English Question Formation: A Comparison of Errors Made by English-Dominant Versus Mandarin-Dominant Learners in a Chinese Medium Primary School

English Question Formation: A Comparison of Errors Made by English-Dominant Versus Mandarin-Dominant Learners in a Chinese Medium Primary School

INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES IN DOCTOR – PATIENT COMMUNICATION IN ENGLISH: SELECTION CRITERIA

Background. Communication between doctor and patient is an important component of the treatment process. The main task of the doctor is to collect all the necessary information about the patient’s problem and the history of its occurrence, to clarify all the circumstances of the situation and to offer options for action. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to use certain speech means that should help the doctor get all the information and get what they want from the patient. Questions are one of the means that determine the effectiveness of interaction.
 Purpose. The purpose of the study of this article is to analyze the interrogative sentences used in the doctor – patient dialogues in English, to determine their communicative load, to identify the most frequent constructions and to describe the criteria for choosing the types of interrogative sentences.
 Materials and methods. The material of the study was the scripts of conversations between doctors and patients in English, presented in open sources. In the course of the study, a continuous sample of interrogative sentences used by the doctor was carried out. The questions were divided into types according to their grammatical structure, the communicative load of each type was determined. The most and least frequent types of questions are singled out, possible grounds for such a pattern are identified.
 Results. The article describes the main types of questions in English in terms of their grammatical structure: general, special, alternative and disjunctive. The results of own research based on the material of audio recordings and their scripts of conversations between doctors of various specialties and their patients at various stages of the treatment process are presented. In the process of research, each type of questions was analyzed in the context of their use in order to describe their communicative load. This approach made it possible to identify criteria for selecting certain types of questions, which are determined by the target settings of the communicative “doctor-patient” situation.
 Practical implications. The results of the study can be applied in the practice of teaching Medical English, in the professional activities of healthcare professionals when communicating with patients, in theoretical courses on English grammar.

Chinese tag questions: the CP/DP pro-form analysis

Abstract This paper investigates the behaviors of tag questions in Chinese and proposes a unifying analysis involving empty CP/DP pro-forms and predication. It is found that there are universally two types of Tag questions – (i) the invariable type and (ii) the (modal) verbal type, which correspond to the question-types in Chinese syntax. Previous research by Culivocer (1992. English tag questions in Universal Grammar. Lingua 88. 193–226) analyzed English tag questions as a pro-IP structure that is bound by a previous sentence. However, in Chinese, two types of tag questions include both A-not-A form and particle form. Furthermore, both the two kinds of tag questions display syntactic predication between the tag and an empty subject pro. An abbreviated “yes-no question” is attached to empty CP/DP constituents in these constructions.

Evaluation of ChatGPT's performance in providing treatment recommendations for pediatric diseases

AbstractWith the advance of artificial intelligence technology, large language models such as ChatGPT are drawing substantial interest in the healthcare field. A growing body of research has evaluated ChatGPT's performance in various medical departments, yet its potential in pediatrics remains under‐studied. In this study, we presented ChatGPT with a total of 4160 clinical consultation questions in both English and Chinese, covering 104 pediatric conditions, and repeated each question independently 10 times to assess the accuracy of its responses in pediatric disease treatment recommendations. ChatGPT achieved an overall accuracy of 82.2% (95% CI: 81.0%–83.4%), with superior performance in addressing common diseases (84.4%, 95% CI: 83.2%–85.7%), offering general treatment advice (83.5%, 95% CI: 81.9%–85.1%), and responding in English (93.0%, 95% CI: 91.9%–94.1%). However, it was prone to errors in disease definitions, medications, and surgical treatment. In conclusion, while ChatGPT shows promise in pediatric treatment recommendations with notable accuracy, cautious optimism is warranted regarding the potential application of large language models in enhancing patient care.

Exploring Heaton’s testing score as a diagnostic tool: A language testing study on English language learners

This study investigates the utility of Heaton's Testing Score as a diagnostic instrument for English language learners. Focusing on 20 grade 10 English language learners at Amaano Boarding School in Hargeisa, Somaliland, our research employed a blend of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Our research arsenal encompassed Heaton's Testing Score, a comprehensive questionnaire, and a rigorous focus group interview. The primary aim was to bridge an existing lacuna in the literature regarding the practical application of Heaton's Testing Score in pinpointing areas of improvement for English language learners. Our findings unearthed distinct challenges that students grapple with, particularly in the domains of reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar. These issues were discerned through a meticulous analysis of English test questions. Additionally, our questionnaire and focus group interview unveiled insightful perspectives on the root causes, including the limited exposure to English beyond the classroom setting. This nuanced comprehension of learners' impediments adds substantial value to the field. Our results underscore the pivotal role of Heaton's Testing Score as a valuable diagnostic tool, empowering educators and researchers to identify precise areas requiring focused assistance for English language learners. This emphasizes the significance of tailored interventions in ameliorating the learning experience. The study bears implications for educators, policy-makers, and curriculum developers, advocating for a more effective paradigm in language testing and evaluation. In conclusion, this research firmly underscores Heaton's Testing Score as an indispensable diagnostic instrument for language testing, with far-reaching ramifications for the enhancement of English language learners.

Artificial intelligence in global health equity: an evaluation and discussion on the application of ChatGPT, in the Chinese National Medical Licensing Examination.

The demand for healthcare is increasing globally, with notable disparities in access to resources, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, has shown promise in revolutionizing healthcare. However, potential challenges, including the need for specialized medical training, privacy concerns, and language bias, require attention. To assess the applicability and limitations of ChatGPT in Chinese and English settings, we designed an experiment evaluating its performance in the 2022 National Medical Licensing Examination (NMLE) in China. For a standardized evaluation, we used the comprehensive written part of the NMLE, translated into English by a bilingual expert. All questions were input into ChatGPT, which provided answers and reasons for choosing them. Responses were evaluated for "information quality" using the Likert scale. ChatGPT demonstrated a correct response rate of 81.25% for Chinese and 86.25% for English questions. Logistic regression analysis showed that neither the difficulty nor the subject matter of the questions was a significant factor in AI errors. The Brier Scores, indicating predictive accuracy, were 0.19 for Chinese and 0.14 for English, indicating good predictive performance. The average quality score for English responses was excellent (4.43 point), slightly higher than for Chinese (4.34 point). While AI language models like ChatGPT show promise for global healthcare, language bias is a key challenge. Ensuring that such technologies are robustly trained and sensitive to multiple languages and cultures is vital. Further research into AI's role in healthcare, particularly in areas with limited resources, is warranted.

Yes-no Questions and Wh-questions in English and Albanian Spoken Discourse: Focus on Political Debates

This paper aims to draw reliable conclusions regarding yes-no questions and wh-questions in English and Albanian spoken discourse. The study outlines the differences and similarities in these question types between the two languages.The corpus of the study includes seven Meet the Press (NBC News) interviews (totaling 2 hours and 51 minutes) with the former President of the USA, Donald Trump which contribute to the English spoken corpus. Additionally, there are two Rubikon (KTV) interviews (totaling 2 hours and 51 minutes) with Hashim Thaçi, the former President of the Republic of Kosovo that are part of the Albanian spoken corpus. A qualitative method is employed to compare, analyze, and draw conclusions based on the findings of the conducted research. The study finds that the English yes-no questions feature the inversion of auxiliary and modal verbs to the subject position. However, the Albanian yes-no questions are characterized by the interrogative particle ‘a’, which may be positioned as the initial or final element or be absent altogether. The results also offer compelling evidence of the differences in the number of wh-words used to ask wh-questions in English and Albanian. They also highlight the most frequently used wh-words and the respective functions of wh-questions in both English and Albanian.

Exploration and Practice of College English Reading Teaching Reform in the Context of Deep Learning

Abstract To improve the quality and effectiveness of learners’ English reading learning, this paper proposes a fuzzy hierarchical analysis method incorporating deviance entropy (DE-FAHP), which improves the differentiation quality of the fuzzy judgment matrix and enhances the accuracy of weight calculation of each influencing factor by introducing deviance entropy model. Finally, the comprehensive difficulty quantification model of English reading comprehension objective questions is determined to provide an efficient and accurate method for calculating the parameters of the subsequent English reading comprehension standardized question bank. Finally, this paper proposes a hybrid testing method that combines CAT’s online grouping technology with MST’s staged presentation of test questions to construct the English reading comprehension adaptive testing system ca-MST. Through system validity testing, students in the experimental class improved more significantly, with only question 20 in the experimental class scoring below 4.0, while most of the scores in the control class were below 4.0. The mean reading score of the experimental class was 76.31, with a standard deviation of 11.16, while the mean reading score of the control class was 69, with a standard deviation of 18.76. The comparison showed that the reading scores of the experimental class taught with the reading comprehension adaptive testing system were higher than those of the control class taught with the traditional model, and the differences within the class were smaller.

The Exciting Potential for ChatGPT in Obstetrics and Gynecology

ABSTRACT In November 2022, AI Lab OpenAI launched the online chatbot ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer), an accessible language model that uses the artificial intelligence (AI) branch of natural language processing (NLP) to answer prompts based on a library of 175 billion parameters from the “internet, books and other sources.” Because of its ability to answer clinical questions in plain English that can be understood by providers and patients alike, the potential for ChatGPT to be used as a clinical tool is obvious. Despite its impressive fund of source knowledge, these data are potentially biased and unreliable and may not reflect current stances. In addition, ChatGPT does not list sources for its information, and its current capability to answer clinical questions correctly is not well understood. This study aimed to assess answers given by ChatGPT in response to a spectrum of questions about obstetrics and gynecology including systems-level questions, ethical questions, and treatment-related decision making. A total of 14 questions were asked. The first question asked why US preterm birth rates are so high. The second question asked for a list of the most important interventions physicians can do to monitor, prevent, and treat premature births. The third question asked whether vaginal progesterone was effective and safe for preventing preterm birth in women with a short cervix in the midtrimester, and the fourth question asked the same question but in women with a history of preterm birth and no short cervix. The fifth question asked why maternal mortality rates in the United States are so high. The sixth question asked for a list of what obstetricians can do to prevent preeclampsia. The seventh question asked about the safety of hospital births when compared with planned home births in the United States. The eighth question asked whether it is ethically acceptable for an obstetrician to provide emergency cesarean delivery without a woman's informed consent to save the fetus or the mother. The ninth question asked how obstetricians should screen for domestic abuse and intimate partner violence in pregnancy. The 10th question asked if women should freeze their eggs and at what age. The 11th question asked about the risks and benefits of menopause hormone replacement therapy. The 12th question asked how abortion bans in the United States affect women's health and lives. The 13th question asked whether complex hyperplasia atypia surgery should be performed only by a gynecologist-oncologist. The final question asked whether we should continue using the term “pregnant woman” versus alternative including “pregnant person.” Overall, ChatGPT provided nuanced and informed answers to question on virtually any topic in obstetrics and gynecology, but occasionally revealed an apparent lack of insight into the questions being asked. ChatGPT can provide preliminary information about a wide range of topics and can be valuable to both providers and patients and will continue to improve as training data are updated, and the model learns from user prompts.

Challenges Faced by Students in Answering Biology Essay Questions in the English Language

Effective writing abilities are essential for science students to articulate their thoughts and critical thinking, enabling the assessment of their scientific knowledge progression. This study aims to uncover the challenges Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM) students face in answering Biology essay questions in English. Using a document analysis approach, examiners’ feedback from 27 STPM Biology Candidate Reports of essay questions spanning 2013 to 2021 were inductively analyzed. Thematic analysis unveiled the challenges faced by students in answering Biology essay questions in English. The analysis reveals two primary hurdles faced by STPM Biology students. The most substantial challenge pertains to the ‘content’, followed by ‘content and language’. Deficiencies in scientific comprehension and principles were evident within the ‘content’ category. In ‘content and language’, students needed help to compose English responses. Factors like ‘technical term’, content, language, and technical term’, ‘language’, and ‘technical term and language’ held little significance. Intriguingly, ‘content and technical term’ posed the least difficulty; inaccuracies in specialized vocabulary usage caused confusion and point deductions. These findings highlight the substantive challenges STPM Biology students face in the domain of natural science education. The study underscores that prevalent issues addressing STPM Biology essay questions revolve around insufficient content coverage and limited English proficiency. Addressing these challenges and devising instructional strategies to bolster content comprehension and language skills within the natural science context proves pivotal. By tackling these issues, educators and policymakers can cultivate a more supportive and effective learning environment for STPM Biology students.

Representations of HOTS in English Reading Comprehension Exam Questions for Islamic Senior High Schools in Jepara

Pemberlakuan kurikulum terbaru dalam sistem pendidikan Indonesia memerlukan penerapan Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) dalam proses pembelajaran. Oleh karena itu, analisis pertanyaan sangat penting untuk mengetahui ketersediaan HOTS dalam instrumen penilaian. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis representasi HOTS yang terdapat pada soal-soal ujian dan menjelaskan mengapa soal-soal tersebut dikategorikan sebagai soal HOTS. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif dengan menggunakan teknik analisis isi. Sumber data yang digunakan adalah soal-soal ujian bahasa Inggris untuk SMA kelas 10, 11, dan 12 yang dikeluarkan oleh organisasi pendidikan Islam di Jepara untuk tahun ajaran 2022/2023. Penelitian ini dianalisis menggunakan Taksonomi Bloom Anderson dan Krathwohl dengan model tiga dimensi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa representasi soal HOTS berdasarkan ranah proses kognitif pada soal ujian kelas 10 sebesar 11,8%, kelas 11 sebesar 20%, dan kelas 12 sebesar 12,1%. Berdasarkan dimensi pengetahuan pada kelas 10, 11, dan 12, soal-soal ujian didominasi dengan kategori pengetahuan faktual dan konseptual, sedangkan soal prosedural dan metakognitif kurang terdistribusi. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, representasi HOTS pada soal-soal ujian pemahaman membaca kelas 10, 11, dan 12 mempunyai distribusi yang lebih rendah dibandingkan Lower Order Thinking Skills (LOTS).

Employing animation-based TE to activate Chinese children’ cognitive-involvement in L2 feature acquisition

A substantial amount of literature has shown that the input flooding and enhancement (Textual enhancement, TE) technique helps learners to perceive and acquire target features implicitly. Previous studies explored the efficacy of computer-assisted TE interventions in Second Language Acquisition with diverse techniques, but animation has not yet been sufficiently taken into consideration. In this paper, we developed an animation-based TE intervention to promote the primary school children’ acquisition of the linguistic features of English question sentences. The results suggested that learners in experimental group improved their performances in producing questions and statements with a large effect size, as they were found to spontaneously put extra efforts in exploring the related knowledge of the visually enhanced forms. The study presumed that the animation-based TE intervention would stimulate participants’ awareness and curiosity of the target forms, which consequently led to improved performance in tasks both involving precursor knowledge and newly acquired knowledge.

Developing Mall-Based Reading Comprehension Test for Seventh Grade by Using Quizizz

This study aims at developing reading comprehension test based on Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) for seventh grade of Junior High School students. It is adapted R and D development model proposed by Borg and Gall consisting of seven steps: research and information collection, developing a preliminary product, expert validation, product revision, field-testing/try-out, revision, and final product. On the basis of preliminary research and information collections result, the preliminary product was produced by considering MALL concept with Quizizz application. From the expert validation, it shows that the developed reading comprehension test in Quizizz was on good criteria and appropriate for seventh grade students, she suggested to provide clear picture related to the question, discard or replace unfamiliar song questions because it will make students confused in understanding the context. Next, the instructions were needed to be revised to be clearer and simple. The researcher tried out the test for 20 students in the seventh grade. The result of the try-out shows that there are 20 multiple choices test, but 18 test are valid because the significant value is more than 0.05 with rtable 0.422. The test has a level of difficulty from medium to easy as evidenced by the mean items difficulty of 0.25 to 0.85. It is also reliable with the significance value 0.934. With MALL-based reading comprehension test using Quizizz, students are more interested and enthusiastic in reading English questions. For them, the test is unique like playing an online game.

Quality education through writing: aligning learning objectives in learning materials and question papers using Bloom’s taxonomy

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-based English textbooks and question papers in developing second-language higher-order thinking skills (HOTS).Design/methodology/approachDescriptive analysis establishes a causal relationship between learning objectives and second language (L2) writing proficiency. Content analysis is used to compare and analyze tabulated data for textbooks and question papers for the English language by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and CBSE. This method categorizes the materials and their assessments under HOTS and lower-order thinking skills to ascertain the relationship between learning objectives and L2 writing proficiency.FindingsThe study highlights teaching material and assessment shortcomings and their alignment with learning outcomes to enhance students' writing skills. It underscores the need for HOTS-focused materials, discussing their impact on writing skills. The study also explores how textbook–question paper mismatch hampers Bloom's taxonomy-based cognitive skills.Practical implicationsThis research illuminates the efficacy of teaching and learning English as a second language (ESL) writing skills to improve the quality of education, which has real-world implications. The study highlights flaws in the educational system in India and suggests curricular and pedagogical changes.Originality/valueThe research examines NCERT and CBSE ESL textbooks and question papers to align teaching and assessment methods. The results aim to improve education through ESL writers' HOTS.

Performance of ChatGPT in Israeli Hebrew OBGYN national residency examinations.

Previous studies of ChatGPT performance in the field of medical examinations have reached contradictory results. Moreover, the performance of ChatGPT in other languages other than English is yet to be explored. We aim to study the performance of ChatGPT in Hebrew OBGYN-'Shlav-Alef' (Phase 1) examination. A performance study was conducted using a consecutive sample of text-based multiple choice questions, originated from authentic Hebrew OBGYN-'Shlav-Alef' examinations in 2021-2022. We constructed 150 multiple choice questions from consecutive text-based-only original questions. We compared the performance of ChatGPT performance to the real-life actual performance of OBGYN residents who completed the tests in 2021-2022. We also compared ChatGTP Hebrew performance vs. previously published English medical tests. In 2021-2022, 27.8% of OBGYN residents failed the 'Shlav-Alef' examination and the mean score of the residents was 68.4. Overall, 150 authentic questions were evaluated (one examination). ChatGPT correctly answered 58 questions (38.7%) and reached a failed score. The performance of Hebrew ChatGPT was lower when compared to actual performance of residents: 38.7% vs. 68.4%, p < .001. In a comparison to ChatGPT performance in 9,091 English language questions in the field of medicine, the performance of Hebrew ChatGPT was lower (38.7% in Hebrew vs. 60.7% in English, p < .001). ChatGPT answered correctly on less than 40% of Hebrew OBGYN resident examination questions. Residents cannot rely on ChatGPT for the preparation of this examination. Efforts should be made to improve ChatGPT performance in other languages besides English.

Awareness and Knowledge of Periodontal Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery amongst House Surgeons – An Online Survey

Abstract Aim: The survey aims to assess the degree of awareness and knowledge of periodontal plastic and aesthetic surgery amongst house surgeons. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based study was conducted to assess the degree of awareness and knowledge of periodontal plastic and aesthetic surgical procedures amongst 80 house surgeons in KMCT Dental College, Manassery, Kerala. A questionnaire containing 10 questions in English was prepared for data collection and distributed to 80 interns through Google form. Questions were formulated based on basic knowledge about mucogingival problems and their treatment modalities, understanding of various terminologies, indications for mucogingival procedures and awareness about prognosis and treatment outcome after mucogingival procedure. The possible options chosen by the participants were tabulated and the percentile for each question was represented using pie charts. Results: Amongst the 80 participants, around 80% of participants were having basic knowledge about mucogingival problems and their treatment modalities. About 48% of participants were aware of the indications of periodontal plastic and aesthetic surgical procedures and 85% of the participants knew about the prognosis and treatment outcome of these surgical procedures. Conclusion: Mucogingival procedures or periodontal plastic surgery involves the correction of soft-tissue defects involving the periodontium and frenum. The present study was able to assess the degree of knowledge of periodontal plastic surgical procedure amongst house surgeons. The awareness and knowledge of periodontal plastic and aesthetic surgery amongst house surgeons were good however it could be improved.

On the Structure of Why-VP Questions in English

On the Structure of Why-VP Questions in English

Tailoring English Questions for Primary Special Needs Students

In the literature, it is believed that question is an integral part of education. However, the studies on questions used by teachers in all education levels are mainly conducted on typical development students. Studies on how teachers use English questions to enhance communication and learning outcomes of students with special needs are still limited. The aims of this study is to analyze how teachers in a bilingual school expose English as a second language and customize the questions to elementary students with special needs. This study used Stake's instrumental case study method. The data were collected by having observation in the special need classroom twice a week for four months. The subject of this study are two teachers from a bilingual school were observed during lessons and individually interviewed. The data is analyzed and encoded anonymized. Then the code is evaluated to identify potential themes to learn more about the important types and considerations of asking strategies for students with special needs. According to the thematic analysis, these teachers employed questions that prioritized two factors: cognitive-based questions and affective-based questions. The study underlines the implications for classroom practice while expanding the understanding of teaching English to special needs students in a bilingual setting.

Evaluation of the applicability of ChatGPT in biological nursing science education

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of ChatGPT in biological nursing science education. Methods: This study was conducted by entering questions about the field of biological nursing science into ChatGPT versions GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 and evaluating the answers. Three questions each related to microbiology and pharmacology were entered, and the generated content was analyzed to determine its applicability to the field of biological nursing science. The questions were of a level that could be presented to nursing students as written test questions. Results: The answers generated in English had 100.0% accuracy in both GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. For the sentences generated in Korean, the accuracy rate of GPT-3.5 was 62.7%, and that of GPT-4 was 100.0%. The total number of Korean sentences in GPT-3.5 was 51, while the total number of Korean sentences in GPT-4 was 68. Likewise, the total number of English sentences in GPT-3.5 was 70, while the total number of English sentences in GPT-4 was 75. This showed that even for the same Korean or English question, GPT-4 tended to be more detailed than GPT-3.5. Conclusion: This study confirmed the advantages of ChatGPT as a tool to improve understanding of various complex concepts in the field of biological nursing science. However, as the answers were based on data collected up to 2021, a guideline reflecting the most up-to-date information is needed. Further research is needed to develop a reliable and valid scale to evaluate ChatGPT’s responses.

Dental curriculum reform in India: Undergraduate students' awareness and perception on the newly proposed choice based credit system

BackgroundDental education plays a crucial role in producing competent dental professionals who can cater to the diverse needs of patients. This study aimed to assess the awareness and perception of the newly proposed Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) by the Dental Council of India (DCI) among dental undergraduate students in Belagavi City, India. MethodsThe study adopted a cross-sectional design and was conducted among undergraduates and interns of two dental colleges in Belagavi, India. A pilot study was conducted, which was followed by sample size estimation. A total 480 participants were recruited by simple random sampling technique. The questionnaire used was self-administered and comprising 23 close-ended questions in English, for which the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to be 0.85, with an 84% score for face validity and a content validity ratio of 0.78. ResultsThe mean awareness and perception scores were highest among interns, while it was lowest among the first years. Majority of the study participants (62.7%) were unaware of this new curriculum whereas almost half (49%) of them found it to be student-friendly. A positive correlation was seen between the perception and awareness scores (r = +0.270, P ≤ 0.001). ConclusionThe findings of this study reveal that a significant proportion of dental undergraduates lacked awareness regarding the implementation of the new curriculum, however they had a positive outlook towards it. The adoption of this model appears to be a promising initiative towards enhancing the quality of dental education at a national level.