A Grammar Question - What Makes Hong Kong

Share on Facebook

Gencebay90

#545814 Thu, 24 Jul 08 10:15 AM

-- what makes Hong Kong so exhilarating.

A) It’s hard to explain
B) Many travellers are curious
C) One soon becomes aware
D) It has been debated
E) We have been much impressed

The official right answer is A, and I have no objection to the right answer; however, is there any possibility that D is also the right choice, which I believe there is. Can we simply say that after D, a structure with "whether" or "if" should've come.

The sentences with " what after debate":

"It has been debated what is the exact relationship between the three"

"It has been debated what the original Expo emblem signified"

"It has been debated what stimulated the exceptional efflorescence of mathematics in Poland after World War I"

"It has been debated what the precise role of IL-2 is during CD4 T cell responses"

Thanks in advance

Smile

Gencebay90

Joined on Sun, Sep 2 2007

Turkey

Junior Member (89)

In a corner of every heart is a wounded place

Grammar

Marius Hancu

#545839 Thu, 24 Jul 08 12:13 PM

>is there any possibility that D is also the right choice?

D would need to be changed to something like:

It has been debated THAT what makes Hong Kong so exhilarating IS ITS BUSINESS DISTRICT.

Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,673)

Grammar

Marius Hancu

#545842 Thu, 24 Jul 08 12:19 PM

However, I'd argue that B seems good, as the need for about is debatable:

Many travellers are curious (ABOUT) what makes Hong Kong so exhilarating.

Unkindness of Ravens: A Sam Perry Mystery

by Kathleen Tracy - Fiction - 2006 - 304 pages

Page 50

I need you to talk to ne. At this point, you're honestly all I've got." "I'm
curious what makes you think I know anything that would help you? ..

----

Marius Hancu

Grammar

Clive

#545913 Thu, 24 Jul 08 03:05 PM

Hi,
-- what makes Hong Kong so exhilarating?

A) It’s hard to explain
B) Many travellers are curious
C) One soon becomes aware
D) It has been debated
E) We have been much impressed

I can think of scenarios in which A/B/C could all be possible responses. Maybe even D.

I'm sure that the examiner thinks A is the most likely, so that's what you should choose.
In these kinds of tests, you have to try to read the examiner's mind. (:)) Smile

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (21,191)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Grammar

Gencebay90

#545949 Thu, 24 Jul 08 05:00 PM

In these kinds of tests, you have to try to read the examiner's mind.

Unfortunately Super Angry

In some questions prepared for the proficiency exams by the official institutions in Turkey, even expert native speakers sometimes fall into disagreement with each other

Thank you both for your answers

Smile

Gencebay90

Grammar

CalifJim

#545970 Thu, 24 Jul 08 06:15 PM

Clive
-- what makes Hong Kong so exhilarating?

"?" ?

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,971)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Grammar

Clive

#545997 Thu, 24 Jul 08 08:32 PM

Hi CJ,
-- what makes Hong Kong so exhilarating? I interpreted this as a question, with the student to choose the most appropriate answer. (:P) Stick out tongue

That seems to be the usual kind of test that we are asked about on the Forum. Now that I look again, I see that the idea seems to be to choose the most appropriate beginning for the sentence. It's interesting how many of these alternatives actually work as question answers!
Clive

A) It’s hard to explain
B) Many travellers are curious
C) One soon becomes aware
D) It has been debated
E) We have been much impressed

Clive