difference between "forge" and "imitate"

[biden Jr.]

English Grammar Error, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #23 "Expressions and Gerunds", question 9

They were really excited and thought they'd bought a painting by Van Gogh but an expert pointed out that the signature had been imitated.

(a) excited
(b) by
(c) imitated

English Grammar Error, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #23 "Expressions and Gerunds", answer 9

They were really excited and thought they'd bought a painting by Van Gogh but an expert pointed out that the signature had been forged.

Correct entry: forged
The error was: (c) imitated
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could you explain the difference between "forge" and "imitate"

biden Jr.

[Conchita]

To imitate is to copy or to do like (someone).

To forge is to copy something illegaly.

[nataliru]

Dear teachers
Could you explain, please, why "falsified" cant be used here?

correct sentence:
They were really excited and thought they'd bought a painting by Van Gogh, but an expert pointed out that the signature had been forged.

Correct entry: forged
The error was: (c) imitated

You have found the error but your entry is incorrect.
your sentence:
They were really excited and thought they'd bought a painting by Van Gogh, but an expert pointed out that the signature had been falsified.

Many thanks in advance.

[Alan]

Hi,

In the test the word 'falsified' is not offered as one of the choices. As to whether it can or not be used in that sentence is another matter. 'Falsify' is more often used for illegally creating things like documents or statements rather than for simply forging a signature.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a stately home owner

[nataliru]

Oh, I see it now. Thanks a lot.