Meaning of "stand apart from"

[Christina328]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #169 "English prepositions exercises", question 5

Michael stood ......... the other new students in his class.

(a) apart from
(b) according to
(c) in addition to
(d) out of

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #169 "English prepositions exercises", answer 5

Michael stood apart from the other new students in his class.

Correct answer: (a) apart from

Your answer was: incorrect
Michael stood out of the other new students in his class.
_________________________

Dear Sir,

Could you please explain the meaning of "stand apart from" ?

Thanks in advance
Christina

[Mister Micawber]

.
He stood in another area, not near the others.
.
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Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
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[Alan]

Hi Christina328,

In this sentence stood apart from could also indicate in a figurative sense that he was quite different from the other students perhaps in appearance, intelligence or behaviour.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Haihao]

Hi Alan,

Could the 'stand out of' answer be another choice to indicate Michael is different (outstanding) from the other students?

haihao

[Alan]

Hi Haihao,

I'm afraid that won't work. Stand out of, as far as I know, would have to indicate literally: take your feet/legs out of something.

A
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