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Hi teachers,The context:‘We’re always three hours or more behind him,’ Felix said to Adam in the car. ‘We drive up and down the country, but Dinon always moves on before we get there.’‘Perhaps this shopkeeper can tell us something,’ Adam said.But the shopkeeper was not helpful. ‘Alex who?’ he said.Question:Was the shopkeeper willing to help Felix an Adam? Explain your answer.No he wasn’t. Because he said, ‘Alex who?’Thanks in advance.

Surfer · Accepted Answer

Tenacious LearnerWas the shopkeeper willing to help Felix and Adam? Explain your answer.
No, he wasn’t. ~~Because~~ He said, ‘Alex who?’.

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Surfer,
Thanks for your help. The typo was done by my finger, not by me.

Why isn't right to write 'because' in the answer?

TL

CalifJim · Answer

Tenacious LearnerWas the shopkeeper willing to help Felix and Adam? Explain your answer.

Yes, he was willing to help because he asked for more details about who Alex was. At first Adam did not find it helpful, but if we knew more about what happened next, it may have turned out that once the shopkeeper knew more precisely who Adam was talking about, he may have given more information that would have been helpful.
_________

Yes, he was willing to help because he asked for more details about who Alex was. But because he did not know exactly who Alex was, he was not able to provide any information that Felix and Adam found helpful. If he had not been willing to help, he would have said, "Go away. I don't have time for your questions".
_________

Yes, he was willing to help. At least it seemed so because he asked for more precise information about who Alex was. He didn't say, "Get lost. I have no time for your questions", which would have been a sure sign of his unwillingness to help. In any case, Felix and Adam were probably disheartened by the shopkeeper's request for further information as it seemed to indicate that the shopkeeper was not going to be able to help.

CJ

Surfer · Answer

Tenacious LearnerWhy isn't right to write 'because' in the answer?

Hello, TL.

It's not that I think it's wrong, but for me, it doesn't quite sound right to start an explanation with because - It's a logical matter. It didn't ask why, it simply said explain.

That said, I also wasn't sure about starting an independent sentence with because, after that period:
"No he wasn’t. Because he said, ‘Alex who?’"

CalifJim · Answer

SurferI also wasn't sure about starting an independent sentence with because, after that period

Right. The because-clause would have to be understood as no more than a dependent clause, not a complete sentence. It would not be appropriate in formal, careful writing, but it's probably all right for this situation.

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

CalifJimYes, he was willing to help because he asked for more details about who Alex was.

CalifJimYes, he was willing to help. At least it seemed so because he asked for more precise information about who Alex was.

Hi Jim,
Thanks a lot. After your very accurate explanations it is crystal clear that the answer is 'Yes'.

No further questions at this point.

CalifJimdisheartened

I didn't know that one.

TL

Tenacious Learner · Answer

SurferI also wasn't sure about starting an independent sentence with because, after that period.

Hi Surfer,
Thanks for your comments and help. CalifJim's explanation has clarified that very well.

TL

CalifJim · Answer

Tenacious Learnerit is crystal clear that the answer is 'Yes'.

... as long as you keep "willing" in the question.

"Being willing to help" and "being helpful" are two different things.

Tenacious LearnerI didn't know that one.

I suspected that. That's why I put it in there.

CJ

Tenacious Learner · Answer

CalifJim"Being willing to help" and "being helpful" are two different things.

Hi Jim,
Being willing to help: Deseoso de ayudar. Dispuesto a ayudar.
Being helpful: siendo útil.

On second thought, 'But the shopkeeper was not helpful. ‘Alex who?’ he said.', this sentence tell us that the shopkeeper wasn't helpful; right? So, was he really being willing to help? Now I'm puzzled.

This is how the text continues:
‘DINON!’ Felix shouted. He was very tired. ‘He escaped from prison five days ago. Somebody saw him in your shop.’
‘I don’t have prisoners in my shop,’ the shopkeeper said angrily. ‘And I don’t want the police here.’
‘Did Dinon come into this shop?’ Felix asked.
‘Dinon,’ the shopkeeper said slowly. ‘What did he do? Wait a minute. Yes! Did he write a book about the old President?’
‘He killed the President,’ Adam said. ‘He murdered him.’

CalifJimI suspected that. That's why I put it in there.

Thanks!

TL

Surfer · Answer

The shopkeeper was not willing to help; he only asked who Dinon was as he played ignorant/unwary to the police - he was pretending, that was all.

So, and judging by the fact that he wasn't helpful, the answer as to what his intentions were would be best said:
No, he wasn’t. He asked, ‘Alex who?’.

However, and since it's only *** who knows what's in a man's heart, you'd better shift focus to what's obvious and ask:

Was the shopkeeper helpful to Felix and Adam? Explain your answer.
No, he wasn’t. He asked, ‘Alex who?’. Or,
No, he wasn’t. He pretended he didn't know him. Or,
No, he wasn’t. He pretended he didn't know which Alex they meant.

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