Introduction
Understanding U.S. units and measurements is crucial for anyone preparing for the TOEIC test, especially if you aim to work in an international business setting. The U.S. uses its own system of measurements, which can be different from the metric system used in most other countries. Knowing these units will help you understand business documents, reports, and conversations.
Explanation
The U.S. customary system includes units such as inches, feet, yards, and miles for length; ounces, pounds, and tons for weight; and cups, pints, quarts, and gallons for volume. Here are some examples:
Length:
1 foot = 12 inches
1 yard = 3 feet
1 mile = 5,280 feet
Weight:
1 pound = 16 ounces
1 ton = 2,000 pounds
Volume:
1 pint = 2 cups
1 quart = 2 pints
1 gallon = 4 quarts
Common mistakes
A frequent mistake is confusing the U.S. system with the metric system. For example, don't confuse a mile with a kilometer or a pound with a kilogram.
Another common error is miscalculating conversions, such as thinking there are 10 ounces in a pound instead of 16.
Tips for the TOEIC test
Listen for context clues in conversations or readings that indicate which measurement system is being used.
Pay attention to numbers and units in business scenarios, such as shipping details or product dimensions.
Practice converting between U.S. customary units and metric units, as this might be useful for some questions.
Mini practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct U.S. unit of measurement:
The new office is located 3 _____ from the train station. (Hint: It's a long distance.)
The package weighs 5 _____. (Hint: It's heavier than a few ounces.)
We need 2 _____ of milk for the office kitchen. (Hint: It's a common volume for liquids.)
Answers
miles
pounds
gallons