[micaelo]

In the following multiple choice exercise:
It's unlikely that using vast amounts of pills and ... will delay the ageing process.
a tablets b potions c exercise d injections
The answer key gives "potions" as the only correct answer. However, I don't see why "tablets" is incorrect, especially as pills is fine and they're pretty similar. Can someone help me with this one, please?

[mesmark]

probably because you'd be saying the same thing twice: pills and tablets

It's like saying 'pills and pills' (While not exactly the same, they are close enough to the same. Tablets are round and solid. Pills are structurally the same except for their shape, elongated.)

Of the choices 'potions' is the best.

[Rouvrou]

On the other hand I don't see why "pills and injections" would be wrong. I think it is just a badly phrased question. "Pills and potions" is a widely used phrase in English, though.
regards
Lisa

[Beatrix]

Quote Rouvrou

"Pills and potions" is a widely used phrase

so that's the reason, for sure.

[clivehawkins]

yep, I'd go along with that. pills and potions is a widely used phrase to describe a variety of medicines, usually used in conjunction with one another.

[mesmark]

Quote Rouvrou

On the other hand I don't see why "pills and injections" would be wrong.

You couldn't mark it wrong on grammar, but most people don't self medicate with invasive methods like injections.

I do agree though that the question isn't the best. I'm not sure what they're trying to test, but maybe it is the combination of 'pills and potions' they want to verify. ...?

'exercise' would work, too.

It seems like they could have come up with better dummy words.

[emile]

Did they say to find the correct answer or to find the best answer?

Pills and potions sounds like a common collocation. You don't 'use' exercise or 'injections', but tablets sounds fine to me.