extinguish vs dampen

[Lam Tung]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #46 "Speaking: At the Station", question 9

There was in fact a small fire in the train on platform 6 but we're glad to tell you that the flames have been ..........

(a) distinguished
(b) dampened
(c) saturated
(d) extinguished

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #46 "Speaking: At the Station", answer 9

There was in fact a small fire in the train on platform 6 but we're glad to tell you that the flames have been extinguished.

Correct answer: (d) extinguished

Your answer was: incorrect
There was in fact a small fire in the train on platform 6 but we're glad to tell you that the flames have been dampened.
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Hi Alan!
could i choice 'dampened'?
please explain the difference between them?
thanks,
Lam Tung

[Conchita]

To dampen (or damp) something is to moisten or wet it. Flames can't be wet, but rather put out, which is what 'extinguished' means.

[lost_soul]

Yeah, and think about a fire extinguisher !
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Alex

A native speaker of Russian