Difference between persuade and encourage

[Goran]

Test No. incompl/advan-5 "Learning tips and instructions", question 8

Try to ......... a native speaker to talk to you so that you can record the conversation.

(a) influence
(b) persuade
(c) encourage
(d) impress

Test No. incompl/advan-5 "Learning tips and instructions", answer 8

Try to persuade a native speaker to talk to you so that you can record the conversation.

Correct answer: (b) persuade

Your answer was: incorrect
Try to encourage a native speaker to talk to you so that you can record the conversation.
_________________________

I think that word 'encourage' seems more polite to me.
Goran

[Alan]

No, it's the other way round. You want someone to help you and in that case you have to persuade them. You don't encourage them because that would mean that they were nervous or shy.
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a parliamentary candidate

[minnie]

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Minnie,
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[Sultano]