A multiple choice of English exam of China's College Entrance Exam
By maihagiti
@maihagiti (8)
May 22, 2011 1:18am CST
Hi, everyone, I am a Chinese student. I am now confused by a multiple choice of English exam of China's college entrance exam. It is about English grammar. I have searched for answers in China's bbs, but no satisfatory answer has been found. So I come here, looking forward to answers from native speakers, or anyone who can clearly illustrate this question, thank you~
The question goes as follows:
Q: _____ he said at the meeting astonished everyone present.
A. What B. That C. The fact D. The matter
The correct answer is A, but I do not know why C and D are wrong answers. It is said it has something to do with the word "said", but if we change this sentence to "______ he told at the meeting astonished everyone present", can C and D be the correct answers? Please tell me why~~~~
1 person likes this
4 responses
@flapiz (22425)
• United Kingdom
22 May 11
Well the answer is A. Because I used the "odd one out technique". C and D are synonymous to each other so neither of them could be correct since you cannot pick two answers. Then B can also be used to substitute C and D. So it is also unlikely.
So A is surely the answer. Plus A sounds better when you say it. Euphemism is also good in determining the answer.
Plus by context clues A fits perfectly.
@flapiz (22425)
• United Kingdom
25 May 11
misterMR: Hehehe. It's always very helpful in multiple choice exams. LoL
Maihagiti: You're welcome. I hope you get a high score.
Maihagiti: You're welcome. I hope you get a high score.@maihagiti (8)
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23 May 11
Thanks flapiz! This technique is really helpful~
You are cool, both of you~
@misterMR (796)
• Philippines
22 May 11
Hello maihagiti! Well, the answer is really A and my answer is also A. Therefore the answer should be "What he said at the meeting astonished everyone present". And why A is the answer you asked?
For obvious reasons, even though most of us think that 'What' is a question word and it is always used in asking questions, it could also be used in sentences. Example, 'What you did was terrible.' This explains that the person told the another person that his action was terrible.
The case in C & D, it can be correct however it's actually missing out the word below:
"The fact that he said at the meeting astonished everyone present."
"The matter that he said at the meeting astonished everyone present."
Why put 'that'?
'That' must be placed next to the choices because it will give off a formal and grammatically correct sentences.
And by the way, said and told is the same. 
I hope I helped you in some way. Anyway, have a good day! 
I hope I helped you in some way. Anyway, have a good day! @maihagiti (8)
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22 May 11
Thank you so much, misterMR!
But some grammar books say that object clause remains grammatically correct even if the word "taht" is missing, although the sentence seems a liite bit informal. As long as the answer is grammatically correct, it should be a correct answer......
Someone in China's bbs said that C & D are grammatically incorrect because C & D cannot be placed behind the verb "say" as its object. But I cannot find the grammatical basis of that explanation.
1 person likes this
@misterMR (796)
• Philippines
23 May 11
I have to agree to you too though. C & D are actually correct but it's sort of informal to hear it. I also used the 'odd-one-out' technique. Anyway, I only have one word to say about that question - BONUS! It should be a bonus since C & D are acceptable. 
It should be a bonus since C & D are acceptable. @maihagiti (8)
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23 May 11
'odd-one-out' technique.: P Yes it is a frequently used technique in exams.
I today found a decent explanation in China's bbs. Someone said that because we do not usually say "say the fact/the matter", C & D are not acceptable due to the language using practice. And if we replace the word "said" by "told", C & D are still unacceptable because the word "tell" is used with double-objects. So if we change this question to "_______ he told me at the meeting......", then C & D will also be the correct answers.
@dream_ozn (1754)
• Singapore
23 May 11
Hi.
If it's C, "that", the correct sentence should be The fact which/that he said at the meeting astonished everyone present. the sentence here is incomplete and therefore wrong.
For D, the matter which/that he said at the meeting.... Similarly, the sentence is incomplete too.
I am not a A* English student, however, still making up the grade. I myself am not very good at all the grammar rules and such but i try to read more to make up for them! I advise you to do so too!
@dream_ozn (1754)
• Singapore
23 May 11
Start by reading some storybooks, some magazines and in no time, your English will definitely improve. GOod luck.
@maihagiti (8)
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23 May 11
Thank you for your advice! : )
It's a pity that I seldom read English materials. It seems it's time to make up~ :P
@mamandada (17)
• United States
22 May 11
A, C, and D all make sense. However, A is the most generic and can be inserted for either C or D.
