Trickiest

[Zishuli]

This is a question in # TOEIC/ W183:

5. n. act of going around; avoidance; evasion

(a) skirting
(b) performance
(c) century
(d) conservative

The given answer is (a) skirting. I have looked up the dictionary and got its definition as below:
1. a border, esp of wood or tiles, fixed round the base of an interior wall to protect it from kicks, dirt, etc
2. material used or suitable for skirts.

I guess, none of these options can be a good match.

[Skrej]

Hi Zishuli,

I think the error is listing it as a noun. Try looking up 'skirt' as a verb in the dictionary, and I think you'll find a definition that works.

Here they're using the present participle of the verb 'to skirt', so you'll have to drop the '-ing' to find the base form of the verb.

It's my guess that since 'skirting' can be both a noun or a verb form, they accidentally listed it as a noun in the definition.

It does look like there's a correction to be made, though.
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[Zishuli]

OK, I have got it. " Skirt" as a verb, skirt around. It matches the listed definition perfectly.

Thanks for your help.^_^

[Skrej]

You're welcome, but you were correct, there still is a small error with the question as it stands.

Dare I say they're skirting the issue by not changing it?
_________________
Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
***
Did you hear they arrested the Energizer Bunny on battery charges?
***

[Zishuli]

Oh, no. Then it will remain to be a trap for latercomers (who are as torpid as I). ^_*

[Beverly Macayan]

there is, to avoid specially because of difficulty or fear of controversy, : ) (skirted the issue