Sand pit vs. sand box

[Heike]

ESL/EFL Test "Sand Idioms", question 9

For very small children at their nursery school there is often a sand ......... where they can play.

(a) pit
(b) hole
(c) container
(d) box

ESL/EFL Test "Sand Idioms", answer 9

For very small children at their nursery school there is often a sand pit where they can play.

Correct answer: (a) pit

Your answer was: incorrect
For very small children at their nursery school there is often a sand box where they can play.
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Hi!

I've been living in the United States for a long time (English is not my native language). Here, however, everyone refers to the place mentioned in the sentence above as "sand box" not "sand pit'. I have some British friends, who, too, watch their children play in a "sand box'. Is this a question of a difference between American and British English or is just a matter of how this "piece of sand" looks? For instance, if it's small and fenced then it is a 'box', if bigger and more naturally looking a "pit"?

Would greatly appreaciate your answer.
heike

Heike

[Mister Micawber]

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I agree that AmE uses sand box (pit sounds ominous to me!). There is even a well-known play by Edward Albee with that title. I think that Alan will offer that option in the revision.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Dianederooy]

[Yankee]