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Question

Difficulty: MediumImperative Verbs and Commands

A quick-start guide for a smartwatch contains the following step in Spanish:

'Para evitar da��os permanentes, no sumerja el dispositivo en agua caliente.'

Which of the following actions does this step direct the user to take?

  1. A
    Avoid consuming liquids while wearing the device.
  2. B
    Keep the device underwater to cool it.
  3. Avoid putting the device underwater.Answer
  4. D
    Do not operate the device in hot climates.

Answer

The user must avoid placing the device underwater.
The correct answer is correct because the Spanish phrase 'no sumerja' is a negative formal command (usted command) of the verb 'sumergir,' which means 'to submerge' or 'to immerse.' Therefore, 'no sumerja el dispositivo' translates to 'do not submerge the device,' which means the user must avoid placing the device underwater.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main verb and its form in the clause 'no sumerja el dispositivo'.
The verb is 'sumergir' in the negative formal singular command (usted) form: 'no sumerja' (do not submerge).
Understanding the command form allows the reader to determine if the action is required or forbidden.
2
Translate the direct object and prepositional phrase 'el dispositivo en agua caliente'.
'the device in hot water'.
Translating the object and condition provides the full context of the command.
3
Combine the negative command with the object and condition to identify the correct instruction.
The instruction tells the user not to submerge the device in hot water, which means they must avoid placing it underwater.
This yields the correct interpretation of the guidebook step.

Key Concept

Understanding and interpreting negative formal commands in instructional texts.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Imperative Verbs and Commands

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