What does stroll mean?

[Tom]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #103 "Synonyms for walk", question 2

When they were younger, they used to ......... in the park with their kids every weekend.

(a) stagger
(b) stroll
(c) meander
(d) halt

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #103 "Synonyms for walk", answer 2

When they were younger, they used to stroll in the park with their kids every weekend.

Correct answer: (b) stroll
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what does stroll mean?

[Mister Micawber]

.
Stroll = walk leisurely and with no apparent aim.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[RussianBear]

What about "to meander"? What's wrong with it? Doesn't it mean to walk about aimlessly?

"Some days, I meander in the park to watch the ducks..."
"You can amble and meander in the park and be almost blissfully unaware of city and signs of development..."

[Alan]

Hi RB,

'Meander' as you suggest, is to stroll in no particular direction. The word actually comes from the name of a Greek river that twists and turns as it takes a winding course through the land.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Read all about it

[RussianBear]

[Alan]

Hi RB,

That's debatable. I don't think you would use 'meander' in that sense because 'they' are essentially taking their children for a walk. 'Meander' also has this underlying idea of confusion and lack of direction as if the person who meanders is not sure where they are going. In the test sentence the point is that 'they' are not going on a strenuous walk.

Hope that makes sense.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story A Rhapsody of Words