Lecturer: If I say

Answer choices

1. A

   Correct91% picked this

   Understanding what people say often requires more than just understanding the meanings of the

   Why this is right

   If people are typically trying to convey an idea that isn't captured by the literal meaning of the words they used, then understanding what others mean with their statements typically involves understanding more than just the literal meaning of the words they use. Typically is even stronger than often, so we're safe in supporting that frequency modifier.

   Skill tested: Most Supported · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   91%
2. B

   Opposite1% picked this

   It is unusual for English words to function in communication in the way

   The last sentence basically contradicts this. It says, "this example we just spelled out with tried is typical", not an anomaly.

   1%
3. C

   Out of Scope: nonverbal cues1% picked this

   Understanding what people use a word to mean often requires detecting

   While this is undoubtedly true in real-life, nothing in the paragraph talks about nonverbal cues. If someone were talking to us on the phone (i.e. we had no nonverbal cues), we would still know that "I tried to get my work done on time" implies "I tried and failed to get my work done on time".

   1%
4. D

   Opposite5% picked this

   Speakers often convey more information in conversation than they intend

   The 2nd sentence is saying that it would be a correct understanding to hear "I tried to get my work done on time" as conveying both 1. I tried 2. I failed The "and I failed to get it done on time" is not "more information than the speaker intended to convey". It is information the speaker intended to convey.

   5%
5. E

   Out of Scope: knowledge required1% picked this

   Listeners cannot reasonably be expected to have the knowledge typically required

   We don't know what knowledge is typically required for successful communication. And this answer is giving off a vibe of, "Listeners are in a hopeless predicament! Don't blame them for misunderstanding what you mean. We can't expect them to know what they'd need to know to understand you." The passage, meanwhile, was acting more like listeners have no issue with understanding the extra meaning built into "I tried to get my work done".

   1%