Expression: in complete contrast to

[aiouea]

Test No. incompl/advan-79 "GMAT Verbal Quiz (2)", question 1

Some people who have been made redundant make no further effort to get employment in complete ......... to those who decide to retrain.

(a) comparison
(b) difference
(c) attitude
(d) contrast

Test No. incompl/advan-79 "GMAT Verbal Quiz (2)", answer 1

Some people who have been made redundant make no further effort to get employment in complete contrast to those who decide to retrain.

Correct answer: (d) contrast
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which is the correct answer?

aiouea

[Alan]

Contrast is the correct answer.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Torsten]

Hi,

The correct answer is in complete contrast to.

TOEIC listening, photographs: Fighting a bush fire

[Teodora65]

retain, not retrain

[Yankee]

Hi teodora65

The word "retrain" is correct in the sentence.
The word "retain" would be wrong for a number of reasons.

With that information in mind, would you like to try to figure out why retain doesn't work but retrain does?

Amy
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Teodora65]

I can't find the word retrain in the dictionary ,unfortunately.Is there any conection with the verb train?

[Yankee]

Hi teodora65

Yes, retrain means "to train or undergo training again". (Prefix re-) So, the test sentence refers to people who undergo retraining (training for a new occupation). In addition, you can use "retrain" as either a transitive or an intransitive verb.

One of the problems with retain is that this verb can only be used as a transitive verb (i.e., must have an object), but in the test sentence you need an intransitive verb.

What about the meaning of retain? Why did you think that would work in the sentence?

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Teodora65]

I mean, the people,who decide to keep working for the some company- retain.

[Yankee]

Hi teodora65

OK, I see the logic. :D

Yes, you could say "retain a job". This would have the sense of "keep" / "make sure you don't lose".

Retain doesn't work well in the sentence because it mentions that people were made redundant. In other words, there were situations in which people were not able to decide to keep their jobs. The company had no work for them; they were no longer needed. The people had to look for new employment.

You can also say that "a company retains staff".
This would also have the sense of "keep" / "make sure you don't lose". I'd say this usage is probably more common.

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Conchita]