Meaning of account for

[Yeti]

Test No. incompl/advan-80 "GMAT Verbal Quiz (3)", question 8

The charity is finding it very difficult to continue operating and that's why it's ......... for the government to help.

(a) crying
(b) calling
(c) shouting
(d) hailing

Test No. incompl/advan-80 "GMAT Verbal Quiz (3)", answer 8

The charity is finding it very difficult to continue operating and that's why it's calling for the government to help.

Correct answer: (b) calling

Your answer was: incorrect
The charity is finding it very difficult to continue operating and that's why it's hailing for the government to help.
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Can anybody explain me the meaning of the verb account for please? th

[Alan]

This means explain the reason for as in: Can you account for the rise in the temperature this summer?
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Book Expressions

[Rich7]

I know "calling" here makes more sense but in the absence of this word we could arguably place "crying" Am i right?

[Alan]

Crying, I'm afraid, on its own won't work here because it would mean literally crying tears but in the sense of desperately asking for you could say crying out for.
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story A day in the life of a policeman

[Rich7]

good point, thanks a ton.