Target vs encourage

[memee]

Test No. incompl/inter-1 "Applying for that Job", question 6

This supermarket is trying to ......... young shoppers by offering fashionable clothes.

(a) target
(b) persuade
(c) encourage
(d) trap

Test No. incompl/inter-1 "Applying for that Job", answer 6

This supermarket is trying to target young shoppers by offering fashionable clothes.

Correct answer: (a) target

Your answer was: incorrect
This supermarket is trying to encourage young shoppers by offering fashionable clothes.
_________________________

why use target instead of encourage?

[Torsten]

Hi Memee,

Thanks for asking your question. In the sentence you are referring to the supermarket is trying to attract new customers. That's why they are offering fashionable clothes. The verb to target clearly describes the intention of the supermarket. The verb to encourage means to support, to inspire and it's usually followed by another verb:

We want to encourage you to join our organization.
My wife encouraged me to apply for this new job.
Her parents encouraged her to learn English.

TOEIC listening, question-response: Weren't you at the conference last month?

[guest]

[Torsten]

Hi Sidor Petrovich,

That was a typo - it should have read 'parents' as it does now :) Thanks for pointing out.

TOEIC listening, question-response: Good game, wasn't it?