English Question

I had my English test a few days ago, and as you might know, I am from Thailand and am not a native English speaker, so this is a pretty difficult deal for me. (so to all you native speakers.. don't laugh at me =S)
Anyways, there was a question asking us to describe the phrase 'Greeting-card sentimentals' or something like that and to choose whether it meant:

1) poetic words or
2) creative words or
3) superficial words

In the text it was something about ..'these might just sound like mere greeting-card sentimentals but'... so I am guessing this was implied in a negative sense, right? So, in your opinion, what would you describe a 'greeting card sentimental' as? poetic words, Creative words, or superficial words?

It's really killing me because the choices all seem alike to me (but of course, there's only one correct answer)

..... and what does 'zero in' mean? (researchers have zeroed in ....)

 

this is quite hard actually
zeroed in means focused in
for the main question i would say superficial words
good luck getting a good grade
oh what did you put for the two questions?

 

I'd also have to say "superficial words", just because in the text it describes them as "mere" which shows that the writer is brushing them off as not important... Which would make me think that the author believes that "greeting-card sentimentals" are not really worth that much, they're just said to be said... if you get what I mean.

Which would make them superficial, as they're not more than surface deep.

 

I'd say superficial words..because poetic words can be original and heartfelt.
in the context it is used, the speaker is almost apologising for the use of those words...
zeroed in : focused on only one option out of many others.eliminated the non probables.

 

You're absolutely right It is definatly wanting you to answer superficial. I'm guessing this is what you put in the test since you got it right here! Greeting card captions can be seen as superficial because they are not personal, they are just printed the same for everyone.

And yea, 'zero in', that's already been answered... :yup:

Good luck with your results

 

I'm Not a native english speaker.
But surely I would answer the superficial one