Exercise 1

Warbuckle suggests several possible reasons for his current financial situation.

What are they?

There may be more than one correct answer!

Hint: Choose only the reasons given by Harold himself.

He is spending too much on unnecessary items.

There is less of a demand for his products than in the past.

There is a recession in the United States.

He has made poor investments internationally.

Warbuckle suggests several possible reasons for his current financial situation.

What are they?

There may be more than one correct answer!

Hint: Choose only the reasons given by Harold himself.

He is spending too much on unnecessary items.

This statement is false. Warbuckle never admits in the dialogue that he is spending money on unnecessary things. It is actually Bruno who makes this suggestion when he tells Warbuckle, "It seems to me that your spending on personal luxuries is out of control".

There is less of a demand for his products than in the past.

This is a true statement. Warbuckle speculates that "the market for Warbuckle's goods has dried up". The expression "to dry up" is used here figuratively to indicate that the market (and the demand for Warbuckle's products specifically) is not as profitable, lucrative or fruitful as it once was. Example: 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 (when put in the sun, for example). Warbuckle believes that a reduced demand for his products and a poor market may be responsible for his current financial state.

There is a recession 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, or a recession. Warbuckle believes that this recession may be responsible for his current financial situation.

He has 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 bad international investments he has made. 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.

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.

Dry up meaning in English

Definition

Examples

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