Exercise 1

Susie says that she drinks "no more than your average overworked executive".

Based on this statement, which of the following choices most accurately describes Susie's drinking habits?

Susie doesn't drink, unlike most typical, hard-working executives.

Susie drinks much less than a typical hard-working executive.

Susie drinks as much as or less than a typical hard-working executive.

Susie drinks more than a typical hard-working executive.

I don't know

Susie says that she drinks "no more than your average overworked executive".

Based on this statement, which of the following choices most accurately describes Susie's drinking habits?

Susie doesn't drink, unlike most typical, hard-working executives.

Susie is not saying that she doesn't drink at all, but rather that she drinks the same amount or less than a typical executive.

Susie drinks much less than a typical hard-working executive.

Although the statement "(I drink) no more than (Bob drinks)" could express that the speaker drinks less than Bob, the statement doesn't indicate that Susie drinks "much less" than a typical executive.

Susie drinks as much as or less than a typical hard-working executive.

When Susie says that she drinks "no more than your average overworked executive", she means that she doesn't drink any more than they would, or even that she drinks less. Both "no more than X" and "as much as X" are comparisons of equality.

Susie drinks more than a typical hard-working executive.

Susie is not saying that she drinks more than any other executive, but rather that she drinks the same amount or less.

Exercise 2

Select the TRUE statements from the list below.

There may be more than one correct answer!

Warbuckle says there is a decline in economic activity in the United States.

Warbuckle thinks there is as much demand for his products as ever.

Bruno advises Warbuckle to be more cautious financially.

Warbuckle says he may have made poor investments internationally.

Select the TRUE statements from the list below.

There may be more than one correct answer!

Warbuckle says there is a decline in economic activity in the United States.

This is a true statement. Warbuckle tells Bruno, 'It could be that the economic downturn in this country is finally having an effect on Warbuckle's Department Stores'. An 'economic downturn' refers to a decline in economic activity, a reduction in economic growth. Warbuckle believes that this may be responsible for his current financial situation.

Warbuckle thinks there is as much demand for his products as ever.

This is a false statement. Warbuckle says that maybe 'the market for Warbuckle's goods has dried up'. This doesn't mean that the demand for his products is unchanged, but that the demand is reduced. 'To dry up' is used figuratively to indicate that the market (and the demand for Warbuckle's products) is not as profitable or lucrative as it once was. Ex: When the tech boom of the 90's dried up, many people lost money. The verb 'to dry' literally refers to something becoming less wet.

Bruno advises Warbuckle to be more cautious financially.

This is a true statement. Bruno tells Warbuckle 'you've got to stop throwing your money around so carelessly!'. To 'throw one's money around' means to spend it unwisely, as if it will never run out. To be 'cautious' means to take care or be prudent. Bruno is telling Warbuckle to be more 'careful' or 'cautious' with his money.

Warbuckle says he may have made poor investments internationally.

This is a true statement. Warbuckle says that the reason for his current financial situation could be the result of 'some bad investments overseas'. He is referring to some international investments he has made which may be bad. The term 'overseas' refers to countries located 'abroad' or far away from one's own country. 'Overseas' is synonymous with 'international' in this context, and 'poor' means 'bad' here.

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