significant or particular, or either

[mehmetmamger]

Two years ago China joined the World Trade Organization and tariffs began to drop and the country began to grow richer. When Beijing hosts the 2008 Olympic Games, the people of the world will find a city and a country that has been transformed. China is now one of the largest economies in the world and it is becoming a ---- trading partnerof the US.

A) particular
B) significant
C) narrow-minded
D) persuasive
E) self-conscious

I cannot find the right answer for this question. Both significant and particular look right to me. What is the point I miss?

Thank you very much in advance.

[MrPedantic]

Hello Mehmet, how are you?

1. China is now one of the largest economies in the world and it is becoming a particular trading partner of the US.

2. China is now one of the largest economies in the world and it is becoming a significant trading partner of the US.

I would guess that the question-setter thinks that "one of the largest economies" doesn't imply a degree of exclusivity in trade ("a particular trading partner"), whereas it does imply a significant share of a trading partner's trade.

Thus since (in the question-setter's mind) #1 presents two unrelated facts, while #2 presents two related facts, #2 is more likely. (#1 seems happier if you insert a comma before "and".)

He may also be thinking that "become a significant trading partner" is a more common phrase than "become a particular trading partner".

But it seems a very difficult question, to me! It should be worth double the marks.

All the best,

MrP

[Avalon]

In Portuguese we use the word particular (same spelling) to refer to PRIVATE things, such as private schools, private teachers,etc...therefore it becomes a false cognate that is tested very often...I wonder if that wouldn´t be the same for your language...anyway, I´d definetely go for #2, significant partner or a particularly important partner..;)....

Mr.P, are you saying that it is possible to say that particular can mean exclusive?

[Michelle20]

Janaina, in Spanish the word particular has the same meaning. I would go for # 2 .

[mehmetmamger]

Originally Posted by MrPedantic

But it seems a very difficult question, to me! It should be worth double the marks.
All the best,
MrP

You are still number 1 MrP.

[MrPedantic]

You're welcome, MM!

My round, I think:



MrP