Which of the following is the best example of concreteness?
a. I’m from the States. b. My hometown is Isle, Minnesota, population 409. c. Sure, I’m from the Midwest. d. The place where I’m from is the friendliest town in America.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is b. My hometown is Isle, Minnesota, population 409.
Explanation:
Concreteness refers to the use of specific, tangible details that provide clear, vivid images or precise information, as opposed to vague or abstract descriptions. This helps the listener or reader better understand the message by providing more specific and verifiable information.
In the options provided, let’s break them down:
- a. “I’m from the States.”
This statement is vague and general. It tells us that the person is from the United States, but it does not specify which state or even provide any additional details about their background. It is abstract and does not paint a clear, concrete picture for the listener or reader. - b. “My hometown is Isle, Minnesota, population 409.”
This is a clear example of concreteness. The speaker gives specific information about their hometown, including its name, location (Minnesota), and even the population size. These details provide a concrete, factual representation of where the person is from, allowing the listener or reader to form a specific understanding of the town. - c. “Sure, I’m from the Midwest.”
While this provides a general geographic region, it is still quite vague. The Midwest is a large area that includes many states and towns, so it doesn’t give any concrete, specific details about the speaker’s actual hometown. - d. “The place where I’m from is the friendliest town in America.”
This statement is an opinion and lacks concrete details. It’s subjective and does not provide any tangible, specific information about the place itself (e.g., its name, population, or characteristics). It’s more abstract because it focuses on a personal judgment rather than clear, factual data.
In conclusion, b is the best example of concreteness because it provides specific, measurable, and factual information that paints a clear picture of the speaker’s hometown.