what is the correct answer ?

[Ha Nhu]

1. It is a great...........that you weren't concerned much about the environment around us.

a. pity b.sorrow c.complaint d.sadness

2. It is......................unlike that the President will agree to open the new airport.

a.mainly b.highly c.largely d.greatly

[Luschen]

Could you give us your answers first? Also, I think the second question is incorrect. I think it should be:

2. It is......................unlikely that the President will agree to open the new airport.

a.mainly b.highly c.largely d.greatly

[Ha Nhu]

1. It is a great...........that you weren't concerned much about the environment around us.

a. pity b.sorrow c.complaint d.sadness

2. It is......................unlike that the President will agree to open the new airport.

a.mainly b.highly c.largely d.greatly
the sentence 1 : I choose D ( sadness)
the sentence 2 : I choose B ( highly)
But I'm not sure. Can you correct them for me ?

[Beeesneees]

2 has a typo. It should be 'unlikely'.
You are correct about your answer though.

1 is incorrect.
The correct version is
It is a great pity...

'It' cannot be used with 'sadness' like that. You can say 'I feel a great sadness'.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Ha Nhu]

I have 4 questions today. Can you help me ?
1) A whole host of critisms have been levelled .........the committee
a. against
b. by
The answer is A, but I choose B. Isn't it a passive voice ? why can't we you "by" in the passive voice ?
2)Many teachers are protesting about the Government ............in education
a. cuts
b. reductions
I think they have the same meaning but the answer is A. why can't we use " reductions " in this sentense ? What's the difference between them ?
3)I catch a new word in English
verb and noun combination does not go together in this sentence, but what verb we use to replace " catch"?

4) the old lady came near to ...............of pneumonia but to everyone's amazement she pulled through
a. dying
b. death
I choose B but the answer is A. I don't understand.I think that gap needs a noun but "dying" is an adjective. Why don't we use " death "?

[Beeesneees]

1) The test in this question has nothing to do with whether or not passive voice is used. 'By the committee' would mean that the committee have made the criticisms (the general structure and nuance indicates that this is not the case), whereas 'against the committee' means that someone else has made the accusations about the committee (and this makes sense here).

2) They are similar in meaning, but we would talk about 'reduce' in terms of cash available and 'cuts' in terms of services.

3)death of pneumonia' does not work. 'death because of pneumonia' would be okay, but 'by pneumonia' indicates that this cause her to die - it led to her dying.

You are doing really well, so don't be disheartened. These are really small nuances.
_________________
Cheers m' dears!

[Ha Nhu]

I have some questions and I need your help
what is the difference between these words ?
1) key - major
eg. the KEY speaker at today's event will be Peter Morgan. a leading autority on Celtic history
why do we use" key", not " major" ?
2) artificial - man-made
eg. I prefer sugar in my coffee, thanks. I find ARTIFICIAL sweeteners leave a bitter aftertaste
why do we use "artificial", not " man-made" ?
3) extend- expand- enlarge
eg. The company has EXPAND since last year
why do we use " expand", not " extend" or " enlarge" ?
4) say- speak- tell - talk
eg. her mother told her to stop TALKING nonsense
why do we use "talking", not" speaking", " telling", or " saying"?

[Beeesneees]

1) key Adjective
Of paramount or crucial importance
'Major' simply does not fit quite as well.

2) Both choices are available. 'Artificial' is considered to be a more appropriate term.

3) Your example is incorrect. It should be 'expanded' (also 'extended' and 'enlarged'). Again, this is simply personal choice and most widespread usage. 'Extended' is also used quite often. 'Enlarged' does not have quite the right meaning.

4) As 3. 'Speaking' and 'saying' can also be used, but 'telling' would not carry the correct meaning.
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Cheers m' dears!