PHL 320 Week 2 Apply: Vague Statements

Complete the “Vague Statements” homework assignment in Connect®.

Each of the questions in Connect® contains a statement in vague language. For each question, select the rewritten statement that contains the clearest language.

Note: You have only 1 attempt available to complete assignments. Grades must be transferred manually to eCampus by your instructor. Don’t worry; this might happen after your due date.

Advertisement: “The Aquaclear water filter—it really will improve the taste and odor of your water.”  Which of the following is rewritten in language that is clear rather than vague?

Multiple Choice

The Aquaclear water filter will improve your life.

The Aqaclear water filter change the way you think about water filters.

The Aquaclear water filter will make you think you have never really had water before.

The Aquaclear water filter will improve the taste and odor of your water by removing dirt and minerals from the water.

Property owner, showing his property to a potential buyer: “The lot extends back to about where that large oak tree stands.”

Multiple Choice

The lot in back ends at the property line.

The lot extends almost to where that large oak tree stands.

The lot extends 50 feet from the back of the house, which is near the oak tree.

We tend to think of the oak tree as the property line, since it is near enough.

“Renaissance music just doesn’t do it for me.”

Multiple Choice

“Renaissance music simply lulls me to sleep.”

“I don’t think I prefer to listen to Renaissance music.”

“There is just something about Renaissance music I don’t like.”

“I can’t say why it is I don’t care for Renaissance music.”

It seems clear that within the next ten years, they’ll have produced a machine that can really think.

Multiple Choice

In the next 10 years, the company will have produced a machine that outperforms how a human thinks and makes day-to-day decisions.

Someday they’ll have produced a machine that can think like a human.

It seems clear that within the next 10 years, they should make some progress in developing thinking machines.

In the next 10 years, they should be able to produce a machine that can think in some fashion.

The president has determined that tax reform will be his first priority during his second term in office.

Multiple Choice

Some believe the president will make tax reform a priority in his second term.

The president will tackle tax reform as his first priority during his second term in office, which is in two years.

The president has promised to make tax reform a priority.

The president thinks that tax reform will be a priority during his second term.

“If I were you, I’d watch out for the boss.”

Multiple Choice

“Watch out for the boss; he’s grumpy today.”

“If I were you, I’d keep a close eye out for the boss.”

“You may want to avoid the boss today if you can.”

“There’s the boss; you may want to head the other way.”

Doctor: “The arrhythmia you are experiencing indicates you should lay off jogging for a while.”

Multiple Choice

“The arrhythmia you are experiencing is a serious issue that requires treatment.”

“The arrhythmia you are experiencing indicates you should consider jogging less often.”

“Your arrhythmia makes me think you should be careful when you jog.”

“Because your heart beats too fast, you should stop jogging for the next 30 days. “

“Well, let’s see. To get to the Woodward Mall, go down this street a couple of blocks and then turn right. Go through several stoplights, turn left, and go just a short way. You can’t miss it.”

Multiple Choice

“You want the Woodward Mall? Just head west and you’ll see it in front of you. You can’t miss it.”

“The Woodward Mall? You may want to use your GPS, since getting there is a little tricky.”

“In order to get to Woodward Mall, drive south on Main Street for two blocks until you get to Dover Street. After you get to Dover Street, make a right on Foxwood Drive. You will drive on Foxwood Drive for three miles until you see Woodward Lane. Turn left on Woodward Lane, and you have arrived at Woodward Mall.”

“Well, let’s see. To get to the Woodward Mall, you’re going to need to make three lefts and then a right. You can’t miss it.”

Said at a party: “What did I think of the concert? Yeah, I was at the concert.”

Multiple Choice

“What did I think of the concert? I guess I had a good time.”

“What did I think of the concert? I haven’t really thought about it.”

“What did I think of the concert? I thought it was pretty good. You should have been there.”

“What did I think of the concert? I haven’t really thought about it.”

During his first news conference of the year, the president said today that his administration was going to crack down even harder on international terrorism.

Multiple Choice

During his first news conference of the year, the president admitted that the war on international terrorism would be long and difficult.

During the president’s first news conference of the year, the administration outlined processes and procedures it will put in place to combat international terrorism.

During his first news conference of the year, the president backed away from earlier statements about how his administration was going to crack down even harder on international terrorism.

During his first news conference of the year, the president will address what he plans to do about international terrorism.