cross/swim the channel from A to B

English translation: cross

15:19 Jun 28, 2020

English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Other / School Exam Text

English term or phrase: cross/swim the channel from A to B

The text which follows has some gaps to be filled with words given below. This is a standard multi-choice task from a school programme.

Roald Dahl’s Adventures

When Roald was sixteen, he decided to go off on his own to holiday in France. He __________ the Channel from Dover to Calais with £24 in his pocket (a lot of money in 1933).

The choices were:
A swam
B crossed
C went
D left

I, like my student, went for B (crossed), and was wrong. The right answer was A (swam), at least the Key to Answers says so.
So the question is why 'he crossed the Channel from Dover Calais' isn't good (for school exam and may be for other purposes as well).

Sterk KudoZ activity Questions: 1495 (none open) (73 closed without grading) Answers: 0 Ukraine
Local time: 06:43

Selected answer:cross

Explanation:
He could have swum, but that would be a very unusual holiday, and the £24 would have to be in a waterproof bag.

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Note added at 16 mins (2020-06-28 15:36:09 GMT)
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Here's the test, if you're interested:
http://znanija.com/task/37733027

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Note added at 21 mins (2020-06-28 15:40:44 GMT)
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And just in case you think swimming the Channel is a piece of Roald Dahl surrealist humour, it's not:

The Magic Finger | Dahl Roald ,Bookzz
https://www.bookzz.ren › bookzz
Roald Dahl's ADVENTURES When Roald was sixteen, he decided to go off on his own to holiday in France. He crossed the Channel from Dover to Calais with ...

Selected response from:

philgoddard
United States

Grading comment

Thank you very much. I'm relieved. I think somebody just put 'A' instead of 'B' in the answers by mistake, that's all. Homini est errare.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

4 +7

cross

philgoddard

English to English

Gabriel Ferrero

Answers

9 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +7

cross/swim the Channel

cross

philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 36

Grading comment

Thank you very much. I'm relieved. I think somebody just put 'A' instead of 'B' in the answers by mistake, that's all. Homini est errare.

4 hrs confidence:

English to English

Explanation:
Cross the Calais Channel from A to B

Gabriel Ferrero
France
Local time: 05:43
Native speaker of:

English

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English translation: cross

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English translation: cross

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