Why can't soldiers desert their posts?

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #280 [color=blue]“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 [color=blue]“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.

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.

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

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