Effective or Efficient?

by Vocafy Disahkan

Inggeris (AS) B2 12 soalan Words & expressions

Explore whether everyday methods achieve their goals, use resources wisely, or do both.

1. 1. Pilih jawapan yang betul.

   What does “effective” mean here?

   That reminder was effective: I remembered to bring my keys.

   • It achieved its intended result.
   • It required very little effort.
   • It worked without any unwanted effects.

   Think about the reminder's purpose.

   Show solution

   • It achieved its intended result.

   “Effective” focuses on whether something works. It does not tell us how much effort it requires.

2. 2. Pilih jawapan yang betul.

   What improved in this comment?

   Our lunch counter is more efficient now: we make the same number of sandwiches but waste less food.

   • The taste of the sandwiches.
   • The use of ingredients.
   • The number of sandwiches produced.

   Notice what changed and what stayed the same.

   Show solution

   • The use of ingredients.

   Efficiency can improve when the same output requires fewer resources. Here, the resource being saved is food.

3. 3. Isi tempat kosong.

   The clerk explained the return policy ___; afterward, every customer understood what to do.

   • effective
   • effectiveness
   • effectively

   The missing word describes the action “explained.”

   Show solution

   The clerk explained the return policy effectively; afterward, every customer understood what to do.

   Use the adverb “effectively” to describe an action that achieves its purpose. “Effective” usually describes a person, thing, or method.

4. 4. Isi tempat kosong.

   Every package arrived correctly and on time, but drivers made unnecessary repeat trips. Combining the trips kept the same results and reduced ___.

   • ineffectiveness
   • inefficiency
   • effectiveness

   The problem was wasted travel, not failed deliveries.

   Show solution

   Every package arrived correctly and on time, but drivers made unnecessary repeat trips. Combining the trips kept the same results and reduced inefficiency.

   “Inefficiency” names the waste of resources. Removing unnecessary steps can save time and fuel without changing the result.

5. 5. Pilih jawapan yang betul.

   How do the sorting process and the main goal differ?

   My goal was to find a receipt. I sorted all my emails quickly, with no wasted effort, but I still couldn't find it.

   • The sorting was efficient, but the main goal was not achieved.
   • The sorting found the receipt, but required too much effort.
   • The main goal was achieved, but the sorting was inefficient.

   Separate how the emails were sorted from why they were sorted.

   Show solution

   • The sorting was efficient, but the main goal was not achieved.

   Doing a task efficiently does not guarantee that it is the right task for reaching your goal.

6. 6. Isi tempat kosong.

   The school assessed the ___ of its fire drill by checking whether everyone reached the safe meeting point.

   • effectively
   • effective
   • effectiveness

   The school assessed a quality of the drill, so a noun is needed.

   Show solution

   The school assessed the effectiveness of its fire drill by checking whether everyone reached the safe meeting point.

   “Effectiveness” is the noun form. Common expressions include “assess the effectiveness” and “improve the effectiveness” of a method.

7. 7. Pilih jawapan yang betul.

   Which comparison is accurate?

   Two washing machines clean the same load equally well. The second machine takes longer but uses less electricity per load.

   • The second machine is less effective because it is slower.
   • The second machine is more energy-efficient, although it is slower.
   • The second machine saves both time and energy.

   Speed and electricity use are different measures.

   Show solution

   • The second machine is more energy-efficient, although it is slower.

   “Efficient” does not always mean “fast.” A slower process can use less energy to achieve the same result.

8. 8. Pilih jawapan yang betul.

   What does this example show about effectiveness?

   This cloth is effective for removing dust, but it does not remove grease.

   • An effective tool must work for every similar task.
   • A tool is efficient whenever it works well.
   • A tool's effectiveness depends on the task.

   The cloth succeeds at one job and fails at another.

   Show solution

   • A tool's effectiveness depends on the task.

   When describing something as effective, naming its purpose makes the claim clearer: effective for dusting, for example.

9. 9. Pilih jawapan yang betul.

   What happened to efficiency measured in loaves per staff hour?

   The bakery now produces twice as many loaves, using twice as many staff hours. The quality is unchanged.

   • It stayed the same.
   • It increased.
   • It decreased.

   Compare the increase in output with the increase in time used.

   Show solution

   • It stayed the same.

   More total output does not necessarily mean greater efficiency. Each staff hour still produces the same number of loaves.

10. 10. Pilih jawapan yang betul.

    How has the new method changed efficiency?

    The new cooking method produces the same meals equally well. It requires less preparation time but uses more electricity per meal.

    • It is more efficient in its use of both time and electricity.
    • It is more time-efficient but less energy-efficient.
    • It is less time-efficient but more energy-efficient.

    Consider each resource separately.

    Show solution

    • It is more time-efficient but less energy-efficient.

    A process can save one resource while using more of another. Naming the resource avoids an unclear claim about overall efficiency.

11. 11. Pilih jawapan yang betul.

    Why is the reusable filter more cost-effective over its useful life?

    Both water filters make the same amount of water equally clean. The reusable filter costs more to buy but costs less overall across its useful life.

    • It removes more impurities from the water.
    • It has the lowest purchase price.
    • It provides the same benefit at a lower total cost.

    The comparison covers the filter's whole useful life, not just its purchase.

    Show solution

    • It provides the same benefit at a lower total cost.

    “Cost-effective” connects the benefit achieved with the money spent. The cheapest item to buy is not always the cheapest to use.

12. 12. Pilih jawapan yang betul.

    Compared with the original process, what has changed?

    An extra review catches a few more errors, but it also increases the average staff time needed per error found.

    • Error detection is more effective but less time-efficient.
    • Error detection is both more effective and more time-efficient.
    • Error detection is less effective but more time-efficient.

    Compare the number of errors caught with the time required for each one.

    Show solution

    • Error detection is more effective but less time-efficient.

    Better results can come at a higher resource cost. An improvement in effectiveness does not automatically improve efficiency.