rest vs. take a rest

[John]

Q1. Are these verbs [advised, allowed, permitted] all natural?
Q2. Are these verbs [rest, take a rest] both correct?
Q3. Are these sentences correct? I think #3 is awkward. Am I right?

1. Jake was [ Q1 ] to [ Q2 ] after he complained of stomach pains.
2. Jake was [ Q1 ] to [ Q2 ] after complaining of stomach pains.
3. Jake was [ Q1 ] to [ Q2 ] after his complaint of stomach pains.

Thanks.

[Rusty]

Q1. Are these verbs [advised, allowed, permitted] all natural?
Q2. Are these verbs [rest, take a rest] both correct?
Q3. Are these sentences correct? I think #3 is awkward. Am I right?

1. Jake was [ Q1 ] to [ Q2 ] after he complained of stomach pains.
2. Jake was [ Q1 ] to [ Q2 ] after complaining of stomach pains.
3. Jake was [ Q1 ] to [ Q2 ] after his complaint of stomach pains.

Thanks.

They all sound OK. In #3 I might use "about" instead of "of," but "of" is not wrong.

[John]

In a test, the answer say that "rest" is incorrect, and it should be "take a rest".
Is the answer totally absurd? Or is it because "rest" is grammatically correct but we don't say it.

Thanks.

[Pete]

In a test, the answer say that "rest" is incorrect, and it should be "take a rest".
Is the answer totally absurd? Or is it because "rest" is grammatically correct but we don't say it.

Thanks.
"Rest" isn't really wrong here, but if you were supposed to pick the one best answer, "take a rest" is more precise, so it fits better.

"Take a rest" clearly refers to one specific instance. The more general term "rest" can be used this way, but it also (maybe more often) refers to a regular activity -
- The doctor told him that he needed to rest more.