Jacque a descendu le géant.

Question

The test at the end of the lesson marked the choice: Jack took the giant down (killed him) as wrong. It accepted only the choice: Jack took the giant downstairs as correct. Why? The lesson suggests that the first choice to be one of the correct meanings. What am I missing? 
Thanks, Sunya

Accepted Answer

Are you sure that "Jack took the giant downstairs" is indeed the proper translation? I would have said "Jack took the giant down", meaning he killed it, would be the right one.

Answer

Bonjour Sunya !
I had a look at your Correction Board, and it says that both "Jack took the giant down (killed him)" and "Jack took the giant downstairs" are correct, but shows that you only selected one answer (Jack took the giant downstairs), hence the nearly correct mark.
I hope that's helpful!Bonne journée !

Answer

Thank you. I really must focus on distinguishing between intransitive and transitive forms... the action is happening to whom or what? Subject or direct object? être or avoir choice then becomes easier...
Sunya