balance vs control

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #62 [color=blue]“Losing It (2)”, question 8

As she was walking across the tight rope at the circus she lost her … and fell to the ground.

(a) control
(b) direction
(c) balance
(d) sense

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #62 [color=blue]“Losing It (2)”, answer 8

As she was walking across the tight rope at the circus she lost her balance and fell to the ground.

Correct answer: (c) balance

Your answer was: [color=red]incorrect
As she was walking across the tight rope at the circus she lost her control and fell to the ground.
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

WHy can`t we use conrol???
Thank you

2

.
The phrase is ‘lose control’ (no pronoun)-- but the action is not really appropriate for this situation anyway. ‘Lose control’ normally refers to emotional control or more complex mechanisms (‘she lost control of the vehicle’).
.

3

Thank you.

4

Hello,

lose one’s balance = become unsteady, fall; figuratively we can say be upset mentally.

He lost his balance on the cord and fell down.
He was surrounded by so many dangers that he lost his balance, became nervous and upset.
Thanks:
Kati Svaby