Read the following message.
Hi Brian,
It was a pleasure meeting you at the charity gala last week. I enjoyed hearing about your work in business development at Treetop Financials. I have worked in the same field overseas, but I am still learning how organizations here build relationships with local partners.
Would you be willing to meet for coffee and tell me about your experience? I am not asking you to review a job application. At this stage, I would value a better understanding of the industry and the kinds of professional events you have found useful.
I am usually free on Tuesday and Thursday. Next Tuesday, I have a client meeting downtown that should finish at eleven. If it suits you, we could meet at the cafe opposite the station at 11:30. Otherwise, please suggest a time on Thursday afternoon. I can travel to an area that is convenient for you.
There is no need to prepare anything formal. Half an hour would be plenty, and I will bring a few questions so we can make good use of the time. I understand that your schedule may be busy, so please feel free to decline if this month is difficult.
Thank you again for the interesting conversation at the gala. I hope we can continue it soon.
Best,
Amir
Using the drop-down menu (▾), choose the best option according to the information given in the message.
2.Amir mainly wants
3.11:30 on Tuesday is suggested because
4.As an alternative, Amir offers
5.Amir says the coffee meeting will only need
6.The tone of Amir’s message is
Here is a response to the message. Complete the response by filling in the blanks. Select the best choice for each blank from the drop-down menu (▾).
I would be happy to discuss 7., although I cannot offer employment advice for a specific application. Tuesday at 8. works for me, after your client meeting. Let us use the cafe 9. I can stay for 10., as you suggested. Please bring your questions, but there is no need for 11.
Best,
Brian
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Correct Answer: at a charity event
Why this is correct: Amir and Brian met at a charity event. The event was a gala held the previous week.
Passage Reference: It was a pleasure meeting you at the charity gala last week.
Tips: Separate the place of the past meeting from the place suggested for the future coffee.
Why the other options are wrong:
- during a job interview: No interview took place.
- at the station cafe: That is the proposed future venue.
- during Tuesday’s client meeting: That meeting is still upcoming.
Correct Answer: insight into the local industry
Passage Reference: At this stage, I would value a better understanding of the industry and the kinds of professional events you have found useful.
Why this is correct: Amir mainly wants insight into the local industry. He hopes to learn how organizations build partnerships and which professional events are useful.
Tips: Find where Amir says what he is not asking for. His next sentence tells you what he does want now.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a formal offer of employment: He seeks information, not an offer.
- approval of a client contract: No contract approval is requested.
- a review of his current job application: He clearly says he is not asking Brian to review a job application.
Correct Answer: Amir expects a nearby meeting to finish beforehand
Passage Reference: Next Tuesday, I have a client meeting downtown that should finish at eleven.
Why this is correct: Amir expects a nearby meeting to finish beforehand at eleven. The 11:30 coffee gives him time to reach the cafe opposite the station.
Tips: Put the Tuesday plans in order. Ask what ends just before the suggested coffee time.
Why the other options are wrong:
- Brian has already confirmed that time: Amir is proposing it.
- the cafe serves customers only then: No opening restriction is stated.
- Amir’s client meeting begins then: It should finish at eleven.
Correct Answer: Thursday afternoon
Passage Reference: Otherwise, please suggest a time on Thursday afternoon.
Why this is correct: Thursday afternoon is Amir's alternative meeting period. He offers it in case the Tuesday proposal does not suit Brian.
Tips: Find the time Amir suggests to begin with. Then read what he offers if that time does not suit Brian.
Why the other options are wrong:
- Wednesday afternoon: Wednesday is not offered.
- Thursday morning: The proposed alternative is afternoon.
- Tuesday before his client meeting: The stated fallback is Thursday.
Correct Answer: about thirty minutes
Passage Reference: Half an hour would be plenty, and I will bring a few questions so we can make good use of the time.
Why this is correct: Amir says half an hour would be plenty, so the coffee meeting will only need about thirty minutes.
Tips: Find how long the writer says would be plenty. Then change that amount into the unit the options use.
Why the other options are wrong:
- about forty-five minutes: Amir asks for half an hour, not forty-five minutes.
- about an hour: He does not ask for a full hour.
- about fifteen minutes: Fifteen minutes is shorter than the half hour he suggests.
Correct Answer: considerate and flexible
Passage Reference: I understand that your schedule may be busy, so please feel free to decline if this month is difficult.
Why this is correct: The tone of Amir's message is considerate and flexible. He offers another day, says he can travel, keeps the meeting short, and allows Brian to decline.
Tips: For tone, notice how much freedom the writer gives the other person.
Why the other options are wrong:
- polite but insistent on Tuesday: He offers Thursday and allows refusal.
- confident that Brian has already agreed: He is asking, not confirming.
- formal and demanding prepared materials: He says formal preparation is unnecessary.
Correct Answer: the local industry
Passage Reference: At this stage, I would value a better understanding of the industry and the kinds of professional events you have found useful.
Why this is correct: Brian agrees to discuss the local industry. That is the knowledge Amir wants after working in the same field overseas.
Tips: Connect Brian's offer to the exact topic Amir says he wants to understand better.
Why the other options are wrong:
- the charity’s financial accounts: The gala was where they met, not the discussion topic.
- a specific vacancy you have applied for: Amir expressly excludes application review.
- your client’s contract terms: He seeks general professional insight.
Correct Answer: 11:30
Passage Reference: If it suits you, we could meet at the cafe opposite the station at 11:30.
Why this is correct: 11:30 is Amir's proposed Tuesday coffee time. It comes thirty minutes after his client meeting should finish.
Tips: Place each time beside its event so the client meeting's end is not confused with the coffee's start.
Why the other options are wrong:
- 12:30: The proposed cafe time is 11:30.
- 10:30: That is before the client meeting is expected to end.
- 11:00: The client meeting should finish then.
Correct Answer: opposite the station
Passage Reference: If it suits you, we could meet at the cafe opposite the station at 11:30.
Why this is correct: The cafe is opposite the station. Brian repeats this location to confirm the proposed meeting place.
Tips: Look for the location phrase immediately after the place noun 'cafe.'
Why the other options are wrong:
- inside the gala venue: The proposed place is opposite the station.
- beside your overseas office: They plan to meet locally.
- at my client’s office: A cafe is proposed, not the client’s office.
Correct Answer: half an hour
Passage Reference: Half an hour would be plenty, and I will bring a few questions so we can make good use of the time.
Why this is correct: Brian agrees to stay for half an hour, matching Amir's request.
Tips: Find the length of time the first message suggested. The reply simply agrees with it.
Why the other options are wrong:
- forty-five minutes: Brian mirrors half an hour, not forty-five minutes.
- a full hour: A full hour exceeds what Amir requested.
- fifteen minutes: Fifteen minutes is not the agreed length.
Correct Answer: a formal presentation
Passage Reference: There is no need to prepare anything formal.
Why this is correct: A formal presentation is not needed for the coffee meeting. Amir will simply bring a few questions for an informal conversation.
Tips: Brian welcomes questions but says one thing is not needed. Find what Amir said there was no need to prepare.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a place to meet: They choose the cafe.
- a suitable meeting time: A time is needed and agreed.
- your questions: Amir is asked to bring questions.
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