According to Schmitt et al., background knowledge is not associated with vocabulary knowledge, that is, more background does not imply higher vocabulary knowledge.

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The statement to evaluate is: 'According to Schmitt et al., background knowledge is not associated with vocabulary knowledge, that is, more background does not imply higher vocabulary knowledge.'
Option 1: True. If we interpreted the claim as true, we would be asserting that background knowledge has no relationship with vocabulary knowledge. However, in studies of vocabulary development, higher background knowledge often correlates with larger vocabulary, because background knowledge provides semantic networks and contextual cues that facilitate word learning and retention. This makes the statement questionable and likely incorrect.
Option 2: False. This aligns with what is commonly found in literacy and vocabulary research: background knowledge typically supports vocabulary acquisition and comprehension. When individuals possess richer background knowledge on a topic, they can infer meanings, recognize usage, and connect new words to existing concepts, leading to higher vocabulary knowledge. Therefore, the assertion that background knowledge is not associated with vocabulary knowledge is contradicted by the literature, making this option the correct rejection of the claim.
Option 1’s reasoning could also falter by assuming there is no relationship in all contexts, whereas empirical findings usually show at least some positive association, albeit with nuance across domains and measures. Considering measurement issues, some studies might report weak or domain-specific links, but the general expectation is a positive relationship rather than none.
Option 2’s rationale rests on well-supported educational theory: background knowledge scaffolds word learning, supports decoding of subtle meanings, and enhances retrieval. Critics might point out variability or that background knowledge interacts with other factors (such as teacher instruction, exposure, or cognitive load), but these caveats do not overturn the core positive association in most cases.
In summary, the claim in the question is contradicted by the typical understanding that background knowledge enhances vocabulary knowledge, so the statement is false.

LTL383H5 S LEC0101 Weekly Reading Quiz 2: Nation (2021) Chapter 2 and Schmitt, Jiang & Grabe (2011)

According to Schmitt et al., background knowledge is not associated with vocabulary knowledge, that is, more background does not imply higher vocabulary knowledge.

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