reason, alarming, unconscious

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I have three questions to ask:

No.1
One ______3_______ reason the question is being raised is the fact that a large number of young people who graduate from the school systems are unable to handle simple, everyday tasks.
a. big b. large c. main
The key is 'a'. Could you please explain why 'c' and 'b'are not correct. I can find all of the three in my dictionary.

No.2
Scientists warned taht their decrease is "very ______".
a. alarming b. awful
The key is 'b'. No problem. Could you please explain why 'a' isn't correct?

No.3
In fact they declared that they were _____ of what the boxes contained.
a. unconscious b. unaware
The key is 'b'. 'a' is not correct because it can't be followed by 'what' clause. Is that right?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

jiang

[Charlie Bernstein]

Dear teachers,

I have three questions to ask:

No.1
One _____________ reason the question is being raised is the fact that a large number of young people who graduate from the school systems are unable to handle simple, everyday tasks.
a. big b. large c. main
The key is 'a'. Could you please explain why 'c' and 'b'are not correct. I can find all of the three in my dictionary.

It's idiomatic. Big is simply the word most people would use. The others aren't bad grammar, they just sound strange.

No.2
Scientists warned that their decrease is "very ______".
a. alarming b. awful
The key is 'b'. No problem. Could you please explain why 'a' isn't correct?

No, a is correct and b is wrong. Again, it's a matter of usage. We would rarely say "very awful," but "very alarming" sounds natural.

No.3
In fact they declared that they were _____ of what the boxes contained.
a. unconscious b. unaware
The key is 'b'. 'a' is not correct because it can't be followed by 'what' clause. Is that right?

Interesting point. I don't know if it can't be, but I suppose it usually isn't. Yes, b is right.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

jiang

You're welcome!

[jiang]

Dear Bernstein,

Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Best wishes,

Jiang

You're welcome!

[David L.]

In fact they declared that they were _____ of what the boxes contained.
a. unconscious b. unaware
The key is 'b'. 'a' is not correct because it can't be followed by 'what' clause. Is that right?

Interesting point. I don't know if it can't be, but I suppose it usually isn't. Yes, b is right.

One can be 'unaware' of some external fact -as in, what is in the boxes - but 'unconscious' refers to behaviours, emotions, habits of our own that we are not aware of.