In this task, a passage will be given and the goal is to identify an event from the passage. An event is defined as a single word representing something that happened, is happening, or may happen. An event can be factual or hypothetical, positive or negative, certain or uncertain. While most events are based on verbs, an event can also be based on a noun (ex. storm, snow, rainfall) or a copula verb (is, was, been, etc.). The event must not be a pronoun or an adjective. For noun events with multiple words, use the last word in the phrase as event.

Q: Passage: "China maintains its stance that both sides should seek a rational solution through friendly consultation," Jiang said at a press briefing. The two countries appointed special envoys in 2003 to draw up a resolution to the dispute.

A: maintains
****
Q: Passage: She estimates her properties, worth a hundred thirty million dollars in October, are worth only half that now. They believe ah it will be always up going up and up ah forever.

A: estimates
****
Q: Passage: He speaks French, English and some Quechua, a major indigenous language in Ecuador. Correa founded the Moviento Patria Altiva "i" Soberana (PAiS) after being sacked from the post of economy minister after 106 days.

A:
speaks
****