Korean Job Discussion Forums

[livinginkorea]

One of my company class students recently did the Toeic test and he was told that this was wrong. Here's the question and the two possible answers.

Question: Are these seats taken?

A: No, they are free.

B: No, they aren't.

My student said answer B but the Toeic test said answer A. Why? Surely they are the same? Maybe I ahould try and learn some Toeic!!

[kprrok]

The 'no' part of the answer is in response to the question. In option A), the "they're free" is simply extra information that is polite. In option B), the "they're not" is simply an extension of the answer.

Both are factually correct, but A is the better answer.

KPRROK

[Ya-ta Boy]

Both answers are acceptable.

I think you need to remember that if the company only put one correct answer in the group of selections, they wouldn't make any money off selling their books.

[keithinkorea]

Toeic is a pretty stupid test in my opinion. I've met Koreans who claim to have high Toeic scores but can barely hold together a simple conversation.

I think that the thingumijig Toeic is basically a big con, and a lot of the questions seem to be almost trick questions when it comes to practical usuage of the English language.

[ajuma]

Try taking the test! It's an eye-opener! And to the OP...I agree...both answers are correct. Poorly designed test!