space/ scope

[henz988]

Hi forum,

Please have a look at this question:

John says that his present job does not provide him with enough _____ for his organizing ability.
A. scope
B. space
C. capacity
D. range
Key A

When I met this question, I chose B on automatic pilot but then I saw the answer was A.

I have googled that both "scope of his ability" and "space for his ability" have many hits and the hit number of the latter is larger. So I feel somewhat confused.
What are your opinions about the choices A and B?


Many Thanks.

[Raymott]

Hi forum,

Please have a look at this question:

John says that his present job does not provide him with enough _____ for his organizing ability.
A. scope
B. space
C. capacity
D. range
Key A

When I met this question, I chose B on automatic pilot but then I saw the answer was A.

I have googled that both "scope of his ability" and "space for his ability" have many hits and the hit number of the latter is larger. So I feel somewhat confused.
What are your opinions about the choices A and B?


Many Thanks.

The correct answer is A.
The number of Google hits is unrelated to correctness.

[henz988]

Is that "people" can have enough scope to do something while "ability" can't?

[Raymott]

Is that "people" can have enough scope to do something while "ability" can't?

"Not enough space" in this context suggests "not enough physical space for his organizing ability" - which could be true if he had bad organizing ability (the opposite, presumably, of the meaning).
"Space" is too ambiguous to use here.

[henz988]

space: the freedom and scope to live, think, and develop in a way that suits one
a teenager needing her own space.

It seems that "space" can be used in an abstract way.

What have I got lost here?

Thanks again.

[Raymott]

space: the freedom and scope to live, think, and develop in a way that suits one
a teenager needing her own space.

It seems that "space" can be used in an abstract way.

What have I got lost here?

You've lost perspective and context. Yes, 'space' could be forced into that space, but 'scope' is the better, more appropriate and more specific answer.