What is the difference between spanks and pounds?

[ahmedy]

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #109 "Synonyms for beat", question 7

Mary is a very calm and patient mother but lately she often ......... her naughty son.

(a) crashes
(b) whips
(c) spanks
(d) pounds

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #109 "Synonyms for beat", answer 7

Mary is a very calm and patient mother but lately she often spanks her naughty son.

Correct answer: (c) spanks

Your answer was: incorrect
Mary is a very calm and patient mother but lately she often pounds her naughty son.
_________________________

why not ; pounds ?

ahmed

[Conchita]

We don't normally pound a child, not only because this isn't a collocation, but mainly because it would be far too brutal and also considered child abuse.

To spank is to smack on the bottom, which is what parents sometimes do to naughty (bad/disobedient) children.