Verbal Exam Part I

1. Choose the answer that shows how best to join these two sentences. If I had known it was going to rain, I would have brought my umbrella. I should have checked the forecast.

The correct answer is "If I had known it was going to rain, I would have brought my umbrella; evidently, I should have checked the forecast." This answer is the best because it correctly combines the two sentences while maintaining the logical connection between them. The use of "evidently" emphasizes the speaker's realization that checking the forecast would have been a wise decision.

Explanation

The correct answer is "If I had known it was going to rain, I would have brought my umbrella; evidently, I should have checked the forecast." This answer is the best because it correctly combines the two sentences while maintaining the logical connection between them. The use of "evidently" emphasizes the speaker's realization that checking the forecast would have been a wise decision.

2. For questions 1-5, please refer to the following text. Coca-Cola Co. KO -8.44% reported slightly stronger-than-expected revenue for its latest quarter, boosted by demand for tea, coffee, water and sports drinks, but the beverage company expects sales will slow down this year. Tea and coffee sales volume rose 3% in the quarter, driven by the growth of Fuze Tea in Europe and a new line of ready-to-drink coffee in Japan. Water, enhanced water and sports drinks increased 1%. Soda declined 1%, while juice, dairy and plant-based beverages declined 2%. In the quarter, North America soda sales volume took a 1% hit from price increases, despite higher demand for Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Sprite. The company has been focusing on higher margins over volume gains. Soda sales have been sliding for much of the past decade as consumers have turned to bottled water and flavored seltzer. Overall, Coca-Cola's net revenue declined 6% to $7.1 billion for the quarter, as a result of foreign-currency headwinds and the refranchising of company-owned bottling operations. Analysts polled by Refinitiv had expected sales of $7.03 billion. Source: The Wall Street Journal 1) What Asian drink was responsible for the rise in tea and coffee sales in the quarter?

Coke Zero

Starbucks

Fuze Tea

Ready-to-drink coffee

The rise in tea and coffee sales in the quarter was driven by the growth of Fuze Tea in Europe and a new line of ready-to-drink coffee in Japan. This suggests that the increase in sales can be attributed to the popularity and demand for ready-to-drink coffee.

Explanation

The rise in tea and coffee sales in the quarter was driven by the growth of Fuze Tea in Europe and a new line of ready-to-drink coffee in Japan. This suggests that the increase in sales can be attributed to the popularity and demand for ready-to-drink coffee.

3. In the following sentence, the underlined word most nearly means what? Joy seemed to emanate from the young bride's flushed face.

Emulate

Emerge

Radiate

Flow

The word "emanate" means to come forth or originate from a source. In the given sentence, the word "emanate" is used to describe how joy appeared to come forth or radiate from the young bride's flushed face. Therefore, the word that most nearly means the same as "emanate" in this context is "radiate".

Explanation

The word "emanate" means to come forth or originate from a source. In the given sentence, the word "emanate" is used to describe how joy appeared to come forth or radiate from the young bride's flushed face. Therefore, the word that most nearly means the same as "emanate" in this context is "radiate".

4. Analysts polled by Refinitiv had expected sales of $7.03 billion. What is the best way to write the underlined portion?

Have expected

Were expecting

Had expected

Expected

The sentence is written in the past tense, so "had expected" is the best way to write the underlined portion.

Explanation

The sentence is written in the past tense, so "had expected" is the best way to write the underlined portion.

5. From the passage, we can infer that ...

Coca Cola needs to rebrand if they are going to keep up with modern times.

Coca Cola's sales are increasing steadily, and the company is trying to build on its momentum.

From the passage, we can infer that Coca Cola had a good last quarter but is proceeding with caution considering its unstable condition. This suggests that although Coca Cola had a positive performance in the last quarter, there are concerns about the company's overall stability. This implies that Coca Cola may need to take steps to address these concerns and ensure its long-term success.

Explanation

From the passage, we can infer that Coca Cola had a good last quarter but is proceeding with caution considering its unstable condition. This suggests that although Coca Cola had a positive performance in the last quarter, there are concerns about the company's overall stability. This implies that Coca Cola may need to take steps to address these concerns and ensure its long-term success.

6. What does "margins" most nearly mean as used in paragraph 2?

Border

Leeway

Limit

Surplus

In paragraph 2, the term "margins" is used to refer to an excess or extra amount. It suggests that there is more of something than is needed or expected. This aligns with the meaning of "surplus," which refers to an amount that exceeds what is necessary or required. Therefore, "surplus" is the term that most closely matches the meaning of "margins" as used in paragraph 2.

Explanation

In paragraph 2, the term "margins" is used to refer to an excess or extra amount. It suggests that there is more of something than is needed or expected. This aligns with the meaning of "surplus," which refers to an amount that exceeds what is necessary or required. Therefore, "surplus" is the term that most closely matches the meaning of "margins" as used in paragraph 2.

7. Assuming the premises are true, what can we say about the conclusion? Some residents of Oklahoma walk backwards. Some residents of Oklahoma eat only with a spoon. There are some residents of Oklahoma who walk backwards and eat only with a spoon.

Uncertain

True

False

None of the above

The conclusion states that there are some residents of Oklahoma who both walk backwards and eat only with a spoon. However, there is no information provided in the premises that directly supports or denies this conclusion. Therefore, it is uncertain whether the conclusion is true or false based on the given premises.

Explanation

The conclusion states that there are some residents of Oklahoma who both walk backwards and eat only with a spoon. However, there is no information provided in the premises that directly supports or denies this conclusion. Therefore, it is uncertain whether the conclusion is true or false based on the given premises.

8. How would you edit the underlined portion in the sentence below ? You smile just like your mother.

Like her

As your mother does

As her

No change

The underlined portion "just like your mother" can be edited to "as your mother does" in order to maintain parallel structure in the sentence. This ensures that the comparison between the person's smile and their mother's smile is consistent.

Explanation

The underlined portion "just like your mother" can be edited to "as your mother does" in order to maintain parallel structure in the sentence. This ensures that the comparison between the person's smile and their mother's smile is consistent.

9. Soda sales have decreased over the past decade as consumers have become more health conscious.

True

False

Uncertain

The given statement states that soda sales have decreased over the past decade as consumers have become more health conscious. However, it does not provide any information about the success of Coca Cola or people turning to other beverages. Therefore, it is uncertain whether Coca Cola is not as successful as it once was or if people have started to turn to other beverages.

Explanation

The given statement states that soda sales have decreased over the past decade as consumers have become more health conscious. However, it does not provide any information about the success of Coca Cola or people turning to other beverages. Therefore, it is uncertain whether Coca Cola is not as successful as it once was or if people have started to turn to other beverages.

10. As used in the sentence below, abdicate is the opposite of which of the following words? I was shocked that my supervisor would abdicate her responsibilities, leaving me to pick up the slack.

Renounce

Abide by

Pursue

Retain

The word "abdicate" means to renounce or give up a position of power or responsibility. In the given sentence, the supervisor is giving up or renouncing her responsibilities, which means she is not pursuing them. Therefore, "pursue" is the opposite of "abdicate" in this context.

Explanation

The word "abdicate" means to renounce or give up a position of power or responsibility. In the given sentence, the supervisor is giving up or renouncing her responsibilities, which means she is not pursuing them. Therefore, "pursue" is the opposite of "abdicate" in this context.