dismay vs. dislike

[Dissy]

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #36 "Super Supermarkets", question 3

When you tell the inhabitants of a small village that the little local store is going to close, many will express ..........

(a) dispute
(b) disdain
(c) dislike
(d) dismay

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #36 "Super Supermarkets", answer 3

When you tell the inhabitants of a small village that the little local store is going to close, many will express dismay.

Correct answer: (d) dismay

Your answer was: incorrect
When you tell the inhabitants of a small village that the little local store is going to close, many will express dislike.
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Why dismay and not dislike? Please explain.

[Alan]

Hi,

If you want to use the word 'dislike', you have to show what it is that you don't like. For example: She showed her dislike for/of that kind of advertisement. The point of the sentence in the test is that the villagers are surprised and disappointed at the possibility of their shop closing. The idea of 'dismay' is a mixture of shock and disappointment. which as a word that can stand on its own.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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