A couple of books of matches

[ttaann]

Hi all TMians,

Please help me solve this question:

F1: Can I help you?
M1: I'd just like a couple of books of matches, please.
M2: What does the man mean?

(A) He wants to buy some books.
(B) Two of the books are the same.
(C) He needs some matches.
(D) The couple is a good match.

Thank you in advance.

[vertical_horizon]

Incredibly hard-working Tan !!!

F1: Can I help you?
M1: I'd just like a couple of books of matches, please.
M2: What does the man mean?

(A) He wants to buy some books.
(B) Two of the books are the same.
(C) He needs some matches.
(D) The couple is a good match.

FROM MERELY GUESSING.....

From the phrases 'Can I help you', 'I'd just like', 'please', we can point out that this conversation was taken place at some shop. The man sure wanted to buy something. This clue help us easily eliminate choice B & choice D.

The seemingly confusing noun phrase 'a couple of books of matches' is actually not complicated at all . The sole remaining question is that whether this phrase was referring to 'matches' (choice C) or popular meaning 'books' (choice A). An "educated guess" (SAT books' term ) should go for 'matches', as 'books' is so easy a word to trick the test-takers. C seems to be the most reliable answer.

TO THE OXFORD DICTIONARY'S CONFIRMING ....

Yep, everything is definitely in order:

The fourth meaning of 'book' is 'a set of things that are fastened together like a book': a book of stamps/tickets/matches.

*****************

Satisfied yet ?

LDP

[ttaann]

Hi vert,

FROM MERELY GUESSING.....

From the phrases 'Can I help you', 'I'd just like', 'please', we can point out that this conversation was taken place at some shop. The man sure wanted to buy something. This clue help us easily eliminate choice B & choice D.

The seemingly confusing noun phrase 'a couple of books of matches' is actually not complicated at all . The sole remaining question is that whether this phrase was referring to 'matches' (choice C) or popular meaning 'books' (choice A).

So logical.

An "educated guess" (SAT books' term ) should go for 'matches', as 'books' is so easy a word to trick the test-takers.

So "educated", phuong.

TO THE OXFORD DICTIONARY'S CONFIRMING ....

Yep, everything is definitely in order:

The fourth meaning of 'book' is 'a set of things that are fastened together like a book': a book of stamps/tickets/matches.

*****************

So clear now.

Satisfied yet ?

Actually I chose C in my Practice Test. Then I look it up in the Oxford (maybe the same as yours, VND90,000 ). But I often see the phrase books on/about/of sth. As a result of this A and C are defensible. So I don't know if this question is of TOEFL-quality or not. If yes, it's so terrible. [}] (and the bad thing is that we people have to live with many things we don't like, the more we hate them, the more possibility they will happen)

Dear ERIN, [tm]
Could you answer my doubt. I'm longing for it.

[Erin]

First, phuong, marvellous explanation! Couldn't have done better myself! [^]

ttaann: Actually, you're right! At first, I thought this question was indisputable, but since you've pointed out that A says only "books," and not, for example, "books about matches," I'd have to say that some people might argue that A is correct. To be honest, I cannot say for sure that this question is not of TOEFL quality, but my "educated guess" would be that TOEFL would not do this.

Anyway, the English point is to memorize some common ways to quantify things in English: deck of cards, pack or book of matches, pack of cigarettes (but I don't think TOEFL would mention cigarettes ), six-pack of sodas (again, they problem wouldn't mention beer), slice of bread, order of fries, and so on.

How's that?

Awaiting your barrage of questions...

[ttaann]

Dear ERIN,

ttaann: Actually, you're right! At first, I thought this question was indisputable, but since you've pointed out that A says only "books," and not, for example, "books about matches," I'd have to say that some people might argue that A is correct. To be honest, I cannot say for sure that this question is not of TOEFL quality, but my "educated guess" would be that TOEFL would not do this.

Thank you so much for your confirmation, ERIN [tm]

Anyway, the English point is to memorize some common ways to quantify things in English: deck of cards, pack or book of matches, pack of cigarettes (but I don't think TOEFL would mention cigarettes ), six-pack of sodas (again, they problem wouldn't mention beer), slice of bread, order of fries, and so on.

So interesting. But I cannot figure out why they don't mention beer. ? IMO it's not that bad. (In contrast cigarettes are so harmful to our health and the causes of many kinds of cancers, so maybe ETS are not allowed to ad them, right? )

Awaiting your barrage of questions...

To tell you the truth, I'm so curious about the truth. I often have many doubts, esp. ones about TOEFL questions and answers even after I have known them. (Is it bad, ERIN )

And more importantly often I didn't know whom I could ask my questions before I know you, ERIN [tm].

Now I'm so happy because of you, ERIN. Again, thanks a million, ERIN. [tm]See you next time with my fresh questions.

[nnphuoc]

In fact, I've ever met that question and have chosen A not C. I am too lazy to look it up in the dictionary and don't know why it is.

Thank you, Phuong, for your nice explanation and also Tan for posting this question.

To Erin,

Originally posted by Erin Billy
To be honest, I cannot say for sure that this question is not of TOEFL quality, but my "educated guess" would be that TOEFL would not do this.

As far as I remember,(hope that it is reliable) this question is in the Practice Tests published by ETS(they said that all the tests are from formerly administrative TOEFL test).
I don't know why they use such a hard question. To tell the truth, listening is the most difficult part for me.

Thanks to all again,
Regards,
Phuoc