Why can't soldiers desert their posts?

[Kati Svaby]

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English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #280 "English Slang Idioms (2)", question 6

Soldiers can't ......... their posts while on guard duty without getting into big trouble.

(a) lose
(b) jump
(c) desert
(d) throw

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #280 "English Slang Idioms (2)", answer 6

Soldiers can't desert their posts while on guard duty without getting into big trouble.

Correct answer: (c) desert
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This is an anticipation. To desert is to abandon.
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Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

[Beeesneees]

Hello Jati,

I;m not sure what point you are making, but you are correct. If the soldiers deserted (abandoned) their posts they would get into trouble.
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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Alan]

Hi,

'Post' in this sentence suggests place of duty where a soldier is supposed to remain as a guard. If he leaves his post without permission, he will be in big trouble.

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

[Kati Svaby]

Hello Bev,

You had wondered how I found the correct answer. It was easy as in our country also if a soldier leaves his post he will be punished. As desert (v) means leave (v) the answer went without saying.

I am sorry that my answer to your letter had been few years late, but I didn't know the rules of the etiquette of the correspondence that also I would have known without saying.

Sorry.

Best wishes:
Kati
_________________
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.