Reflexive pronouns (itself vs. themselves)

[jian]

Test No. incompl/elem-40 "Reflexive Pronouns", question 10

Unfortunately Icarus went too near the sun and the wax on his wings melted and the feathers worked ......... free and he fell on the ground and died.

(a) itself
(b) yourselves
(c) themselves

Test No. incompl/elem-40 "Reflexive Pronouns", answer 10

Unfortunately Icarus went too near the sun and the wax on his wings melted and the feathers worked themselves free and he fell on the ground and died.

Correct answer: (c) themselves
_________________________

itself vs. themselves

jian

[Alan]

Th subject is plural - feathers and so you need to use themselves.
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Start or begin?

[Yankee]

Hi Marko

In the context of the test sentence, 'work (itself) free' basically means 'become unattached'.
.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Yankee]

Hi Torsten

I would like to suggest that if individual posts are moved, the responses to those posts should be moved with them.

Thanks.
.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Torsten]

That's sound advice, Amy. Many thanks. Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Marko]

[Torsten]

Hi Marko, "the feathers worked themselves free" means the feathers fell off. Let me know if this makes sense.
Regards,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Marko]

I understood what it means, but i don't understand the expression itself. I was just curious, never mind.
Thank you anyway. You too Amy.