Question

Ali : Pia, have you seen the ad? They're looking for a new editor for the school magazine. It's on the notice board. Why don't you apply?
Pia : __________________________
Ali : Oh, well if that's how you feel .... I just thought you were perfect for the job.

a) Why should I? They are not going to get anyone like me. Let them ask me themselves.
b) I don’t think I will. Being an editor takes a lot of time and energy. I’m not sure I can spare either right now.
c) You bet, I will. You’re not the first, you know. Everyone including the teachers has been asking me to apply.
d) I am afraid not. I do not deem this an appropriate moment to take on such an onerous responsibility.

Answer 1

Hint: The question suggests, we have to complete the dialogue. To complete the dialogue, we have to figure out what Pia would have answered after Ali persuaded him to apply. When someone persuades you, they ask a question in the form ‘’Why don’t you?’’. Whereas, when someone asks you a question directly, they use ‘’Will you?’’.

Complete step by step solution:
Let us discuss all the above given options:

a) Why should I? They are not going to get anyone like me. Let them ask me themselves: This is a very harsh and rough reply, no one would answer this when they are suggested to apply somewhere for a position.
b) I don’t think I will. Being an editor takes a lot of time and energy. I’m not sure I can spare either right now: In this sentence, she is telling him her approach to the opportunity. She is reasoning for having not enough time and energy.
c) You bet, I will. You’re not the first, you know. Everyone including the teachers has been asking me to apply: In this sentence, she is bragging about herself. This reply will be inappropriate to a humble and suggestive question.
d) I am afraid not. I do not deem this an appropriate moment to take on such an onerous responsibility: This could be the reply, if the question was asked in the form of ‘’Will you’’, but since the question is ‘’why don’t you’’, this option doesn’t seem relevant.

Hence, the correct answer is option b.

Note: Understand the motive behind the question. In this case, the motive is encouraging a friend to do something she is good at (suggestive). Therefore, the answer of the question will be accordingly.