persevere vs. pursue

[Foka]

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #72 "How to encourage", question 5

I'm sure if you ........., you'll succeed.

(a) pursue
(b) proceed
(c) propel
(d) persevere

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #72 "How to encourage", answer 5

I'm sure if you persevere, you'll succeed.

Correct answer: (d) persevere

Your answer was: incorrect
I'm sure if you pursue, you'll succeed.
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i don't understand!!! i answered pursue in this question..and i'm sure for that.. how come that my answer became "perseverance"!!! So i missed the point..!!! Not only in this question but aslo from others!!!! you'll better check it!!! i think yuo are fooling me!!!

Foka

[Mister Micawber]

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Pursue normally requires an object, Foka: she pursued her degree; I tried to stop the argument, but she insisted on pursuing it. The given sentence needs some sort of object: I'm sure if you pursue your dream, you'll succeed.

Persevere means to continue trying without respite. This verb works well in the given sentence: I'm sure if you persevere, you'll succeed.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Cornelius]