Answer to the Exercise on The More the Merrier: How to use the Chinese Numeral “多(duō)”

Correct Answer: B
In the Chinese language, the word “多(duō)” can be used as a numeral referring to an uncertain, slight amount of difference between two numbers. The common and correct way to use it is: “number (1-10) + measure word +多(duō)”.
Let’s start by taking a look at the examples below:

Examples Meanings
六斤多(liùjīn duō) More than six jin but less than seven jin
*(A jin is a measure of 500g or approximately 1lb)
三米多(sānmǐ duō) More than three meters but less than four meters
九块多(jiǔkuài duō) More than nine yuan but less than ten yuan
一天多(yì tiān duō) More than one day but less than two days
Example 1:

Nancy:   Liú Wěi, nǐ de bēizi duōshǎo qián?
Nancy: 刘  伟,你  的  杯子   多少     钱?
Nancy: Liu Wei, how much is your glass?

Liú Wěi: Shíkuài duô.
刘  伟:  十块      多。
Liu Wei: It is over 10 yuan.

Example 2:

Zhānɡ Huá: Jack qù Běijīnɡ duō jiǔ le?
张        华:Jack  去   北京    多  久  了?
Zhang Hua: How long has Jack been in Beijing?

Betty:  Sānnián duō le.
Betty:三年       多   了。
Betty:  It has been over three years.

Example 3:

Customer:  Zhè kuài bù duō cháng?
Customer:这   块     布  多     长?
Customer:  How long is this cloth?

Salesgirl:  Liù mǐ duō.
Salesgirl:六   米  多。
Salesgirl:  It is over six meters.

In our test, only the phrase “五年多(wǔnián duō)” uses the correct structure: “number (1-10) + measure word +多(duō)”. Therefore, the correct answer is B.
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