What is the difference between "hit" and "beat"?

[gregory]

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #109 "Synonyms for beat", question 10

The woman was standing on a rock, desperately looking at the waves ......... the shore.

(a) hitting
(b) whipping
(c) slapping
(d) beating

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #109 "Synonyms for beat", answer 10

The woman was standing on a rock, desperately looking at the waves beating the shore.

Correct answer: (d) beating

Your answer was: incorrect
The woman was standing on a rock, desperately looking at the waves hitting the shore.
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why not hitting?

gregory

[Conchita]

Hitting could also be used in this sentence. However, beating has the sense of crashing on the shore over and over again.