The lawyer offered her client sound ______ on how to proceed with the case, which was later discussed by the city ______.
💡 Explanation
'Counsel' means advice, which a lawyer gives. A 'council' is a group of people convened to consult or advise, like a city council.
Choose the sentence that uses 'principal' and 'principle' correctly.
💡 Explanation
'Principal' refers to the head of a school or the main part of something. 'Principle' refers to a fundamental truth or belief.
To ______ a response from the silent witness, the detective had to ask a very direct question about the ______ activities.
💡 Explanation
'Elicit' is a verb meaning to draw out a response. 'Illicit' is an adjective meaning illegal or forbidden by law.
The ______ of the desert was hot and dry, and we had to decide ______ to continue our journey by night.
💡 Explanation
'Weather' refers to the atmospheric conditions. 'Whether' is a conjunction used to introduce a choice or alternative.
Analogy: Pen is to Stationery as Lack of Motion is to ______.
💡 Explanation
'Stationery' refers to writing materials like a pen. 'Stationary' means not moving, which is a state characterized by a lack of motion.
The vibrant blue curtains were a perfect ______ to the pale yellow walls, and the host was quick to ______ the interior designer on her choice.
💡 Explanation
A 'complement' is something that completes or enhances something else. A 'compliment' is an expression of praise.
The new manager's policies will undoubtedly ______ the team's morale; the long-term ______ should be positive.
💡 Explanation
'Affect' is a verb meaning 'to influence'. 'Effect' is a noun meaning 'a result or consequence'.
Which word is a homophone for 'a large, heavy mammal'?
💡 Explanation
'Bear' is the mammal. Its homophone is 'bare', which means uncovered or naked. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
To avoid capture, the spy had to ______ the guards, but he could not help but ______ to his secret contact in a coded message.
💡 Explanation
'Elude' means to escape or evade. 'Allude' means to refer to something indirectly.
The construction ______ for the new library was chosen for its historical significance and unique architectural ______.
💡 Explanation
A 'site' is a location where something is built. 'Style' refers to a distinctive manner or design. 'Sight' refers to vision, and 'cite' means to quote.
The committee will ______ all valid applications ______ those that were submitted after the official deadline.
💡 Explanation
'Accept' means to receive or agree to, while 'except' is a preposition meaning to exclude or not including.
Analogy: Not Strong is to Week as ______ is to Allowed.
💡 Explanation
The relationship is based on homophones. 'Weak' (not strong) and 'Week' (seven days) sound the same. Similarly, 'Aloud' (out loud) and 'Allowed' (permitted) are homophones.
Choose the sentence that uses 'its' and 'it's' correctly.
💡 Explanation
'It's' is a contraction for 'it is' or 'it has'. 'Its' is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership.
First, you must complete the training, and ______ you will be better equipped ______ anyone else for the promotion.
💡 Explanation
'Then' indicates a sequence of time or a result. 'Than' is a conjunction used for making comparisons.
Which word is a homophone for a piece of wood from a tree?
💡 Explanation
'Bored' (the feeling of being uninterested) is a homophone for 'board' (a flat piece of wood).
To ______ that the project is completed on time, you must ______ it against any unforeseen financial problems.
💡 Explanation
'Ensure' means to make certain that something will happen. 'Insure' means to protect against financial loss with an insurance policy.
If your helmet is too ______, you risk injury and you might ______ your position on the team.
💡 Explanation
'Loose' is an adjective meaning not firmly fixed or tight. 'Lose' is a verb meaning to be deprived of or cease to have something.
The sailor had to steer a difficult ______ through the rocks, gripping the ______ texture of the wet rope to maintain control.
💡 Explanation
'Course' refers to a route or direction. 'Coarse' means rough or harsh in texture.
He found it difficult to ______ the immense pressure and responsibility that came with the promotion.
💡 Explanation
In this context, 'to bear' means to endure or carry a burden. 'Bare' means uncovered.
I need to check the ______ forecast before I can decide ______ or not to travel to the northern areas.
💡 Explanation
'Weather' refers to the atmospheric conditions. 'Whether' is a conjunction used to introduce a clause expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives.
The villagers were warned by the ______ scientist that a volcanic eruption was ______, forcing an immediate evacuation.
💡 Explanation
'Eminent' means famous and respected within a particular sphere. 'Imminent' means about to happen. The famous scientist warned of a coming eruption.
Analogy: Apple is to Fruit as ______ is to Two of a Kind.
💡 Explanation
The relationship is 'example to category'. An apple is an example of a fruit. A 'pair' is the specific term for a set of two of a kind.
After trekking through the arid ______, the exhausted soldiers felt they had earned their sweet ______.
💡 Explanation
'Desert' refers to a dry, barren area of land. 'Dessert' is the sweet course eaten at the end of a meal. They walked through the desert and ate dessert.
Which word is a homophone for 'a passageway between rows of seats'?
💡 Explanation
The word for a passageway is 'aisle'. A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same but has a different meaning. 'Isle', meaning a small island, is a homophone for 'aisle'.
Choose the sentence that uses 'there', 'their', and 'they're' correctly.
💡 Explanation
'They're' is a contraction of 'they are'. 'Their' is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership. 'There' is an adverb indicating a place.
The political candidate plans to ______ the entire neighbourhood for votes, carrying a sign made of sturdy ______.
💡 Explanation
To 'canvass' means to solicit votes or opinions. 'Canvas' is a type of heavy-duty cloth, often used for signs or paintings.
The ethics committee decided to ______ the official for his misconduct, but they did not have the authority to ______ his published report.
💡 Explanation
To 'censure' is to express severe disapproval or formally reprimand. To 'censor' is to suppress or remove objectionable parts of a book, film, etc.
Analogy: Purchase is to Buy as Vend is to ______.
💡 Explanation
The relationship is based on synonyms. 'Purchase' is a synonym for 'buy'. 'Vend' is a synonym for 'sell'. 'Cell' is a homophone but has an unrelated meaning.
His curiosity was ______ when he took a quick ______ at the document detailing the company's ______ performance.
💡 Explanation
To 'pique' one's curiosity means to arouse or stimulate it. A 'peek' is a quick, surreptitious look. A 'peak' is the highest point or level of achievement.
It is your ______ to ______ down your thoughts, just as it is a cultural ______ to celebrate the harvest.
💡 Explanation
'Right' refers to a moral or legal entitlement. 'Write' means to mark letters on a surface. 'Rite' is a religious or other solemn ceremony or act.