Beat vs. strike

[gregory]

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #109 "Synonyms for beat", question 2

Mr Willow is the eldest in the family but no one ever listens to him. Every time he wants to get attention, he has to ......... the table a heavy blow.

(a) strike
(b) beat
(c) slap
(d) whip

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #109 "Synonyms for beat", answer 2

Mr Willow is the eldest in the family but no one ever listens to him. Every time he wants to get attention, he has to strike the table a heavy blow.

Correct answer: (a) strike

Your answer was: incorrect
Mr Willow is the eldest in the family but no one ever listens to him. Every time he wants to get attention, he has to beat the table a heavy blow.
_________________________

why not beat?

gregory

[Conchita]

Beat means to hit hard several times. Here, there is only one (heavy) blow. That's why the verb required is 'strike', which means 'hit'.

Besides, you don't normally beat a blow, but you give or strike a blow, for example.

[Lost_Soul]

Incidentally, can we say "... he has to strike the table with a heavy blow" ?
I think I have seen both versions (with and without with) and am wondering if there's any slight change in the meanings