Hi, I will give some backgrouns first.
The book says: It was me the embassy official called, not Salma, to say that she'd be staying home. She and almost all the other students. Months before, they had taken the TOEFL exam. Now the scores were back, and they weren't good. Only one student had passed. But what about the intensive English-language program in America? That hadn't worked out.....
"SHE'S GOT NOTHING IN WRITING,"
HE SAID."WE NEVER GAVE THEM ANYTHING IN WRITING."
I have problems with the last sentence.
Does that mean she got 0 score in writing in the TOEFL exam? And why did he say "we never gave them anything in writing."
This paragraph is about a group of Afghan college students applying to study in US .
Please explain. Thanks in advance.
2006-11-01 08:57:18 · 7 answers · asked by ssliao728 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
No wonder the next sentence is that: "But surely you know taht Afghans do business on good faith," I said. He's been in Afghanistan only a few weeks."
Some of you guys answered my questions. It should be things put down in writting. Thanks so much.
2006-11-01 10:23:48 · update #1
The English language is tricky even to scholars, but as a phrase it usually means that if no promises were put in writing on paper and signed with witnesses or notorized by a clerk, you can't challenge decisions no matter how random or senseless they may seem. Good luck.
2006-11-01 09:06:09 · answer #1 · answered by character 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest, it's a bit obscure, maybe more context would help. But as others have said, to have something "in writing" means to have some written evidence, like a receipt or a written contract. It's not at all clear who she, he, and we refer to in this text, and how it relates to the rest. "He" seems to be saying that "she" has no proof of ever having had some sort of agreement, and in fact nobody was ever given any such proof.
Alternatively, it could just about be construed as "she got no marks in the writing part of her exam, and nobody ever got any marks in the writing part", though that would seem a bit harsh - writing's hard enough as it is!
It seems a pretty advanced level of English.
Hope this helps
2006-11-01 18:04:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Somebody passed, it just doesn't say who. That's why we have the laws we do, justifying warranties/guarantees and if in doubt always get it in writing.
I have so many receipts, warranties and paper work pertaining to everything I've bought over the past 5 yrs or more to fill up a 8X10 storage shed.
I would guess that she didn't pass and that's what brought about the concern to ask about a guarantee.
2006-11-01 17:10:18 · answer #3 · answered by Betty Boop 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has not directly anything to do with her score.
"SHE'S GOT NOTHING IN WRITING,"
HE SAID."WE NEVER GAVE THEM ANYTHING IN WRITING."
No promises or guarantees were written on paper, we never gave them any written guarrantee/promise.
Meaning that the intensive English language program was never an official promise.
Hope this helps.
2006-11-01 17:31:40 · answer #4 · answered by Endie vB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly failed, even if not a zero. I think the last sentence means that taking the course (which probably cost a lot of money) does not guarantee success.
2006-11-01 17:00:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it means they will never give you any chance or maybe theyre planning to give you an essay test to prove that youre good in english communication, just wait and see, what will happen next. and in addition to this phrase, theyre not satisfied to the result theyve given you. better try again.
2006-11-01 17:04:42 · answer #6 · answered by Salvacionf 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That means the writing lesson is exempted and it dont matter, they grade u on what they did give u.
2006-11-01 17:00:34 · answer #7 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋