Why can't I use "appeared in our home" here?

[Enlearnercn]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #87 "Common English Errors (3)", question 8

Our friends — who we haven't seen in a long time — ......... last night.

(a) appeared in our home
(b) came in our home
(c) came to our home
(d) came by

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #87 "Common English Errors (3)", answer 8

Our friends — who we haven't seen in a long time — came by last night.

Correct answer: (d) came by

Your answer was: incorrect
Our friends — who we haven't seen in a long time — appeared in our home last night.
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Why can't I use "appeared in our home" here?

Thanks a lot

Enlearnercn

[Mister Micawber]

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Appeared in our home suggests a sudden unexpected manifestation, but the friends could not or would not have simply entered the house without notice. Appeared at our door would be possible, meaning that they arrived unexpectedly.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[MarkR]

Thank you M M for answering the question on my behalf (I am the author of this test).

To reiterate what M M is saying, appear would indicate that the person / people have suddenly become visible without being noticed by anyone. This would normally not happen. Therefore came by would be the correct answer in this case.

Mark

[Linda]

Hi Mark,
Thank you both for answering this question - good responses - but Mark I think you're mistaken. I wrote this test. Just wanted to let you know that you must be thinking of another exam.
Take care,
Linda

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[Mister Micawber]

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Huh? I thought I wrote this test! Isn't this the ETS website?...
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Outofbreath]

I am sorry I can't get this mental image out of my head of these unwelcome guests who have suddenly materialized out of thin air at my house. :)

Ghostbusters, anyone?

[Conchita]

[Seanmen]

Hi,

Can I use "came to our home" instead? Why?

[Diverhank]

Came to our home would have been OK even though it doesn't quite sound natural...With came by as a choice, I'd pick came by. I think the test could have been written a little better to eliminate uncertainty. Yeah, "appeared in our home" would suggest a ghostly manifestation :).

[Lost_Soul]

I understand "came to the house" like I approached the house, but havent come into the house (I am somewhere near the threshold)

Does it make sence?

[Linda]

Hi Seanmen,
I'd have to agree that the term 'came to our home' doesn't sound natural. That's why the test question was created. A lot of students who are learning English make that same mistake. The idea is to choose the best possible answer and in this case 'came by' is the obvious choice.
Grammatically, you can say 'came to our home' but I haven't heard any native speakers ever say it like that.
I hope this helps. :D
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Learn English with Linda Arlia

[Ahmadov]

So, who posted this test :)
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Learning is a sacred engagement.

[Seanmen]

thank you guys.

[TheLearner]

How about if the speaker is far away from his house? Can he still say came by?

Does the statement suggest that the speaker is in the house?

please help thanks.

[Mister Micawber]

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