Obligation & option

Question 1

During the exam, a pencil and eraser are required.

Answer 1

The people organizing the exam will provide you with a pencil and an eraser.
False (you must take your own pencil and eraser)

Question 2

Parents can be made liable for their children’s debts.

Answer 2

Parents may be legally responsible for the money their children owe. True

Question 3

He was obliged to pay back the money that he had won.

Answer 3

He had the choice whether or not to pay back the money that he had won.
False (he had to pay the money back),

Question 4

Students doing holiday jobs are exempt from paying income tax.

Answer 4

Students doing holiday jobs pay a smaller amount of income tax than other people.
False (they don’t have to pay any income tax at all)

Question 5

The United Nations voted to impose mandatory sanctions on the country.

Answer 5

The United Nations imposed legally-binding sanctions which had to be obeyed by everyone,
without exception.
True

Question 6

Some companies force their employees to work long hours for low pay.

Answer 6

A lot of companies ask their employees to work long hours.

False (the companies make them work long hours: the employees have no choice)

Question 7

It was an emergency and she pressed the red button; there was no alternative.

Answer 7

There was nothing else she could do; she had to set off the alarm by pressing the red button.
True

Question 8

Classes on Wednesday afternoons are optional.

Answer 8

It is necessary to attend classes on Wednesday afternoons.

False (you can attend the classes if you want to)

Question 9

It is compulsory to wear a crash helmet on a motorcycle.

Answer 9

It is your choice whether or not to wear a crash helmet when you ride a motorcycle.
False (you must wear a crash helmet. We can also use the word obligatory)

Question 10

The museum is asking visitors for a voluntary donation of £2.

Answer 10

You don’t need to pay £2 to visit the museum.

True

Question 11

Obliged

Required

Answer 11

Visitors to the country are Obliged / required to declare any excess (an amount of something that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable; Surplus- Surfeit) tobacco or alcohol imports to the customs officer.

Question 12

No alternative

Answer 12

I’m afraid I have no alternative but to resign from the committee.

Question 13

Liable for

Answer 13

If you are caught speeding, you will be liable for the payment of the fine.

Question 14

Compulsory

Answer 14

Attendance at all classes is compulsory, otherwise you may not get a certificate at the end of the course.

Question 15

Voluntary

Answer 15

Many retired people do voluntary work in their local community.

Question 16

Mandatory

Answer 16

In some countries, there is a mandatory death sentence for all drug traffickers.

Question 17

Required

Answer 17

For visitors to Britain from outside the European Union, a visa may be required.

Question 18

Force

Answer 18

I hate it when people try to force me to do something I don’t like.

Question 19

Optional

Answer 19

Most new cars come with optional air-conditioning.

Question 20

Exempt

Answer 20

Children’s clothes are exempt from VAT.