Gaping vs. yawning?

[Thunu]

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #127 "Ways of commenting", question 6

I sat through the concert feeling really bored and sleepy and had to stop myself from ......... several times.

(a) gaping
(b) yawning
(c) stretching
(d) crying

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #127 "Ways of commenting", answer 6

I sat through the concert feeling really bored and sleepy and had to stop myself from yawning several times.

Correct answer: (b) yawning
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Hello Teachers
Why dont we use "gaping" here?

Thank you

Thu
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Reach an agreement as ploughing, don't let argument happen at crops.

[Alan]

Hi Thunu,

In both cases you are opening your mouth but with yawning it is when you are tired. 'Gaping' is when your mouth is open because you are surprised or simply when you are not thinking of anything in particular.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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