OOPT Understanding Implied Meaning 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A customer says to a salesperson, 'I'll think about it.' What does this most commonly imply?
- They need more product information.
- They are very likely to buy.
- They are not interested but are being polite. (Correct answer)
- They want a discount.
Correct answer: They are not interested but are being polite.
'I'll think about it' is a common polite way to decline without directly saying no.
Question 2: In a job interview, the interviewer says, 'We have several strong candidates.' What does this hint to the applicant?
- The applicant is the top choice.
- The job offer will come soon.
- The applicant faces significant competition. (Correct answer)
- The company is expanding rapidly.
Correct answer: The applicant faces significant competition.
Mentioning 'several strong candidates' implies the applicant should not assume they will get the job.
Question 3: A neighbor says, 'Your dog must be very energetic at night.' What is the implied message?
- They admire how active your dog is.
- Your dog's noise is disturbing their sleep. (Correct answer)
- They want to adopt your dog.
- They are asking about your dog's health.
Correct answer: Your dog's noise is disturbing their sleep.
Commenting on the dog being 'energetic at night' politely implies it is noisy and causing a disturbance.
Question 4: Someone says, 'Not everyone could pull off that hairstyle.' What do they most likely mean?
- The hairstyle is universally flattering.
- The hairstyle suits the person despite being unusual. (Correct answer)
- The hairstyle looks bad on everyone.
- The person should change their hairstyle.
Correct answer: The hairstyle suits the person despite being unusual.
This backhanded compliment implies the style is bold or unusual but that this particular person manages to wear it well.
Question 5: A colleague asks, 'Did you get a chance to read my email from last week?' What are they really communicating?
- They are checking if you have email access.
- They want to remind you to respond to their message. (Correct answer)
- They are offering to resend the email.
- They forgot they sent the email.
Correct answer: They want to remind you to respond to their message.
The phrase 'did you get a chance' is a polite way of nudging someone to respond to an ignored message.
Question 6: A host says, 'Please, don't feel like you have to stay.' What does this phrase really mean?
- The host wants the guest to stay longer.
- The host is giving the guest permission to leave.
- The host is asking the guest to leave. (Correct answer)
- The host is unsure if the guest is comfortable.
Correct answer: The host is asking the guest to leave.
This polite phrase is a subtle signal that the host is ready for the guest to leave.
Question 7: A classmate says after an exam, 'I'm sure I passed... probably.' What does the addition of 'probably' imply?
- They are fully confident they passed.
- They expect a very high score.
- They are actually uncertain about passing. (Correct answer)
- They think the exam was too easy.
Correct answer: They are actually uncertain about passing.
Adding 'probably' undermines the earlier statement of confidence, revealing underlying doubt.
OOPT Understanding Implied Meaning 5
A customer says to a salesperson, 'I'll think about it.' What does this most commonly imply?