Match the words in column 1 to their definitions
in column 2:
Column 1 Words
1. profits
2. slouch
3. issue(s)
4. flow
5. validity
Column 2 Definitions
( ) the continuous production or supply of
something.
( ) the state of being legally or officially
acceptable.
( ) the money you make in business or by selling
things.
( ) to stand, sit or move in a lazy way, often with
your shoulders and head bent forward.
( ) important topics that people are discussing or
arguing about.
Choose the alternative that presents the correct
sequence, from top to bottom.
Match the words in column 1 to their definitions in column 2:
Column 1 Words
1. profits
2. slouch
3. issue(s)
4. flow
5. validity
Column 2 Definitions
( ) the continuous production or supply of something.
( ) the state of being legally or officially acceptable.
( ) the money you make in business or by selling things.
( ) to stand, sit or move in a lazy way, often with your shoulders and head bent forward.
( ) important topics that people are discussing or arguing about.
Choose the alternative that presents the correct
sequence, from top to bottom.
Opportunity Cost
This phenomenon goes by the name of ‘opportunity
cost,’ since by not investing in more equipment and
a more rigid production flow, the company is forgoing the opportunity to earn increased profits. These
costs are every bite as real as the payment of dollars
out-of-pocket.
This notion _______ opportunity cost can be reinforced _________ a famous saying ______ Benjamin
Franklin, no slouch himself _________ operations
management. To make the point, however, we must
make a brief excursion into logic. One truth of logic is
the validity of the so-called contrapositive, which says
simply that if the statement “If A, then B” is true, then
it is also true that “If not B, then not A.” That is, of every
time A occurs B follows, then we can be sure that if B
does not occur, then A did not occur as well. Enough
logic then, and back to Ben Franklin.
One of his Poor Richard sayings is that “A penny saved
is a penny earned.” We have all recognized the truth of
that since childhood, but I assert that by this saying
Ben showed us he knows everything about opportunity cost. After all, what is the contrapositive of “A
penny not earned is a penny not saved (i.e., a penny
sent). All we are saying by this notion of opportunity
cost is that “a penny not earned (an opportunity forgone) is a penny spent.” We shall often have occasion
to consider opportunity costs, in analyzing and deciding various operations issues.
SCHMENNER, Roger W. Production/Operations Management. 5th
Edition. Prentice-Hall, 1993.
Opportunity Cost
This phenomenon goes by the name of ‘opportunity cost,’ since by not investing in more equipment and a more rigid production flow, the company is forgoing the opportunity to earn increased profits. These costs are every bite as real as the payment of dollars out-of-pocket.
This notion _______ opportunity cost can be reinforced _________ a famous saying ______ Benjamin Franklin, no slouch himself _________ operations management. To make the point, however, we must make a brief excursion into logic. One truth of logic is the validity of the so-called contrapositive, which says simply that if the statement “If A, then B” is true, then it is also true that “If not B, then not A.” That is, of every time A occurs B follows, then we can be sure that if B does not occur, then A did not occur as well. Enough logic then, and back to Ben Franklin.
One of his Poor Richard sayings is that “A penny saved is a penny earned.” We have all recognized the truth of that since childhood, but I assert that by this saying Ben showed us he knows everything about opportunity cost. After all, what is the contrapositive of “A penny not earned is a penny not saved (i.e., a penny sent). All we are saying by this notion of opportunity cost is that “a penny not earned (an opportunity forgone) is a penny spent.” We shall often have occasion to consider opportunity costs, in analyzing and deciding various operations issues.
SCHMENNER, Roger W. Production/Operations Management. 5th
Edition. Prentice-Hall, 1993.
Gabarito comentado
Resposta correta: E - 4 • 5 • 1 • 2 • 3
Tema central: vocabulário (sinônimos/definições) em contexto. Questões desse tipo exigem reconhecer palavras-chave nas definições e relacioná‑las ao sentido lexical correto — habilidade frequente em provas de inglês para concursos.
Resumo teórico e estratégia: identifique primeiro as definições mais explícitas (palavras‑chave). Faça o pareamento óbvio antes de decidir os casos ambíguos. Consulte mentalmente dicionários confiáveis: Oxford Learner’s/ Merriam‑Webster confirmam os sentidos aqui utilizados.
Justificativa detalhada da alternativa E (ordem 4, 5, 1, 2, 3):
- 4. flow → the continuous production or supply of something. “Flow” corresponde diretamente a “continuous production or supply” (fluxo contínuo).
- 5. validity → the state of being legally or officially acceptable. “Validity” é exatamente “validade/legitimidade”.
- 1. profits → the money you make in business or by selling things. “Profits” = lucros/ganhos.
- 2. slouch → to stand, sit or move in a lazy way.... “Slouch” descreve postura preguiçosa.
- 3. issue(s) → important topics that people are discussing or arguing about. “Issues” = assuntos/questões debatidas.
Análise das alternativas incorretas (por que falham):
- A (1 • 3 • 2 • 4 • 5): começa atribuindo “profits” à definição de “continuous production” — incompatível.
- B (2 • 4 • 5 • 3 • 1): coloca “slouch” em lugar de “flow” e “profits” no final; várias correspondências trocadas (postura ≠ fluxo).
- C (3 • 4 • 5 • 1 • 2): inicia com “issues” para a definição de fluxo; “issues” não significa “continuous production”.
- D (4 • 2 • 3 • 5 • 1): embora comece corretamente com “flow”, coloca “slouch” onde deveria estar “validity” (posição 2) — erro de pareamento.
Dica prática para provas: associe rapidamente definições com palavras de mesma família ou raízes (ex.: valid → validity), elimine alternativas que trocam pares óbvios e responda por exclusão quando restarem duas opções.
Fontes sugeridas: Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries; Merriam‑Webster (consultas de vocabulário e definições).
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