stackexchange!
I've been referring to this site for a while now and have finally decided to join you all.
This is a semantics and use question about the phrase "available soon" that appeared as part of a test item for EFL students. I'm curious about what answer native speakers of English would select. I won't say too much here as I don't want to influence how one reads and answers the item.
I would like to ask interested individuals to read the following dialogue and then answer the multiple choice question. If possible, I would like to hear the reasoning behind your choice.
Thanks for your time…
Woman: Have you looked at this catalog yet?
Man: Yes. Which car do you like?
Woman: I’m interested in the Roadmaster. It’s environmentally friendly and has great safety features plus a navigation system.
Man: I don’t really want an electric car.
Woman: How about a hybrid like the Supersonic? It has a rear-view camera, and I heard it’s the only model in stock.
Man: Hybrids are too expensive.
Woman: Then which car were you thinking of?
[This part omitted but not necessary for the answer.]
Man: I’ve got a better idea. How about the Grand Adventure? It’s a hybrid like the Supersonic so it’s environmentally friendly. And it’s got the safety features too.
Woman: That seems like a good compromise. Let’s take a test drive on Saturday.
Man: Good idea.
Question: Which car is available soon?
(1) The Grand Adventure.
(2) The Roadmaster.
(3) The Supersonic.
(4) The Tiger Minivan.
Best Answer
I reckon it's (3) the Supersonic and here's why.
Some people are saying there's ambiguity in "soon" and I agree but I think ambiguity could also lie in "available": Whom exactly are we waiting for it to be available to?
The Supersonic will be available to the car salesman immediately, but to the man and woman soon. So the question is: Is the question asking "which car will be available (to the car salesman) soon?" or "which car will be available (to the man and woman) soon?".
If it's the former, then we don't have enough information to make a decision between the Roadmaster and the Grand Adventure because their availabilities go untold.
If it's the latter, then we can safely say it's (3) the Supersonic because the woman says "it's the only model in stock", so of course it'll be available soon... to the man and woman... because they won't need to wait for it to arrive.
Assume no ambiguity.