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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 01-Aug-2004, 16:33
ggomad
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Default unforeseen vs. foreseeable

David's magazine article on the _________ future of Online Journalism
has received various reactions from journalists and editors around the
globe.
(A)accountable
(B)unforeseen
(C)foreseeable
(D)known

I see that both B and C fit in the blank. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Old 01-Aug-2004, 17:16
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I wouldn't use b) here- 'unforeseen' is often used after an event that hadn't been anticipated.
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Old 01-Aug-2004, 18:48
ggomad
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Thank you very much for letting me know what you as a native speaker / English teacher would use in the above sentence.

Well, the anwer to the question above is B in the studybook, I'm afraid. Would you please tell me what you think of the question? Do you still think the question itself is viable and effective for an English word test? Or, do you think otherwise?
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Old 01-Aug-2004, 20:05
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Sometimes you get wrong answers in books. The question is OK, but I don't agree with the answer, not without more context.
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Old 01-Aug-2004, 20:17
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Default Re: unforeseen vs. foreseeable

Quote:
Originally Posted by ggomad
David's magazine article on the _________ future of Online Journalism
has received various reactions from journalists and editors around the
globe.
(A)accountable
(B)unforeseen
(C)foreseeable
(D)known

I see that both B and C fit in the blank. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
With respect to tdol's reply, although it's not possible in British English, it's OK in North American English. The phrase unforeseen future is common. It means, unknown future (i.e. not forseen, not known at this time, unknown). forseeable on the other hand means, able to see now.

All the best, :D
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Old 01-Aug-2004, 21:23
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Thanks, Cas; I didn't know that.
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Old 02-Aug-2004, 03:33
ggomad
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Thanks for the kind addition, Casiopia. And thank you indeed tdol for helpful information, which I certainly need.

Bye for now~
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Old 02-Aug-2004, 05:10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ggomad
Thanks for the kind addition, Casiopia. And thank you indeed tdol for helpful information, which I certainly need.

Bye for now~
You are welcome. :D
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