defining vs describing

[Goran]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #72 "At the End of the Day (1)", question 4

And so it's not surprising the many ways we have of ......... it.

(a) describing
(b) defining
(c) delineating
(d) developing

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #72 "At the End of the Day (1)", answer 4

And so it's not surprising the many ways we have of describing it.

Correct answer: (a) describing
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is it correct?

Goran

[Kitosdad]

The sentence structure is incorrect, and the word defining would be more fitting. IMO.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Vladimir13]

Hi all teachers,

What do you think about the remark of Kitosdad? I can't catch the difference between their statement and the correct answer, to my regret. What is the influence of the incorrect structure of a sentence on the correct word?

Please, tell me and other students.

I would be grateful,
Vladimir.
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My little horse must think it queer...

[Alan]

The test is intended to show the different words/expressions we use for sleep. That is why 'describe' is the right word. 'Define' is not relevant in this context because that is too precise in meaning. We are not defining sleep, we are describing it. There is nothing wrong with the sentence structure.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple