Supervisor: “These numbers will vindicate my proposal to increase our staffing numbers.”
Well, we can’t be right all of the time.
Yes, they certainly support your position.
I hope they aren’t too much of an obstacle.
No, I don’t think they will ruin your proposal.
Yes, they will really help to promote your proposal.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Yes, they certainly support your position.
Explanation:
The key to answering this question lies in understanding the meaning of the word “vindicate.”
Definition of Vindicate:
To vindicate means to clear someone of blame or suspicion or to show that someone or something was right, reasonable, or justified. In this context, the supervisor says:
“These numbers will vindicate my proposal to increase our staffing numbers.”
This means the supervisor believes the data will prove that their proposal is correct or justified—perhaps because the data shows a need for more staff (e.g., high workload, long wait times, or staff burnout).
Now let’s evaluate the answer choices:
- “Well, we can’t be right all of the time.”
This is dismissive and contradicts the optimism in the supervisor’s statement. It suggests doubt, not support. Incorrect. - “Yes, they certainly support your position.”
This is a strong, supportive response that aligns directly with the definition of vindicate. It confirms that the numbers back up the proposal. Correct. - “I hope they aren’t too much of an obstacle.”
This response implies the numbers might hurt the proposal, which contradicts the supervisor’s belief. Incorrect. - “No, I don’t think they will ruin your proposal.”
Although this might seem somewhat supportive, it is too weak and negative. It doesn’t reflect the strength or confidence of the supervisor’s statement. Incorrect. - “Yes, they will really help to promote your proposal.”
While somewhat supportive, this option uses the word promote, which is not synonymous with vindicate. Promoting a proposal is different from proving it’s justified. Less precise than the correct choice.
Summary:
The best response is, “Yes, they certainly support your position,” because it directly aligns with the supervisor’s intent to demonstrate that the numbers justify the staffing increase. It mirrors the meaning of vindicate in a confident and supportive way.