Why we should not use asks for this question?

[Jeyanthi]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #86 "Simple Present (3)", question 1

The moment he crossed the doorstep, an old school friend comes up to Andrew, ......... to buy him a drink and tells him not to look so worried.

(a) begs
(b) requests
(c) asks
(d) offers

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #86 "Simple Present (3)", answer 1

The moment he crossed the doorstep, an old school friend comes up to Andrew, offers to buy him a drink and tells him not to look so worried.

Correct answer: (d) offers
_________________________

Why we should not use asks for this question?

Jeyanthi

[Alan]

Hi Jeyanthi,

You wrote:

[Zishuli]

Hi, I wonder why we use simple present tense in this sentence ( such as 'comes up', 'offers him' and 'tells him')since we have already had past tense for the verb " crossed' , doesn't it indicate that there are all past actions in the sentence ( and the story as well)?

[Molly]

Sounds OK to me, and it is used in such contexts:

e.g.

Dean Robbins hopes that Nick’s prototype will put the physics department on the map. Daniel’s doctor friend approaches Chelsea and asks to buy her a cocktail. The Dean brags to Bo about Nick.

http://daysofourlives.about.com/od/may2008daysrecaps/a/May29Recap_2.htm

A young woman is sitting in a coffee house, about ready to leave, when a man approaches her and asks to buy her a cup of coffee. She politely refuses his offer, and tells the man that she's had enough cups already, and that she's going to leave.

http://urbanlegendsonline.com/cars/backseat.html

She tells him to go ahead and do whatever! Jill comes up to Jeffrey and she again offers to be a confidante for him. He asks to buy her a drink. Gloria watches jealously.

http://www.soaps.com/youngandrestless/update/4247/Proposal_at_Madame_Chauvins

It seems like a shortening of "and asks if/whether he can buy her a drink", etc.

[Gheon]