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a strange choice

 
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jasonlulu_2000



Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 879

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:49 am    Post subject: a strange choice Reply with quote

Sir,

i have a question for you as follows.

---God! The vase is broken. Who did it?
---________.
A. Who are you asking?
B. It's clear.
C. Never mind.
D. Don't look at me.

I think none of them is proper answer. Am I right. From the point of a native's view, which one is acceptable?

Thank.
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Lorikeet



Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:09 am    Post subject: Re: a strange choice Reply with quote

D, "Don't look at me." sounds the best. It means, "Don't look at me because I am not the one who broke it."

I think A, "Who are you asking?" could also be possible, if there are several people around and the person seems to be directing the original question at a single person. It is not as good as D, however, which is probably the correct answer.
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jasonlulu_2000



Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 879

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:10 pm    Post subject: thanksbut Reply with quote

thanks for your answer. But don't you think D is a bit rude?
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Lorikeet



Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco

PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:31 am    Post subject: Re: thanksbut Reply with quote

jasonlulu_2000 wrote:
thanks for your answer. But don't you think D is a bit rude?


It's a regular informal speech pattern. It follows what the first speaker said. If it was a more formal occasion, the first speaker wouldn't have said, "God! The vase is broken. Who did it?" Would you prefer:


"Oh dear, the vase is broken. How could that have happened?"
"Someone must have knocked it over."
"I wonder who could have done it."
"I'm sorry I don't know. I wasn't here at the time."

The first conversation sounds much more natural to me Wink
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