Commonly Confused Words Practice Questions

  1. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
I’m not sure ______ we should go hiking or stay inside tomorrow.
  1. weather
  2. whether
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The correct answer is B!

Whether is a conjunction that introduces choices or conditions. Weather refers to atmospheric conditions. This sentence expresses a choice between two options, so whether is correct.

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  1. Which words correctly complete the sentence?
The friends texted ______ parents to say ______ staying late at the concert.
  1. there/their
  2. they’re/there
  3. their/they’re
  4. there/they’re
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The correct answer is A!

Their is a possessive pronoun showing something belongs to them. They’re is a contraction of “they are.” The parents belong to the friends (their), and they’re (they are) staying late.

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  1. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
After dinner, we ordered a slice of chocolate cake for ______.
  1. desert
  2. dessert
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The correct answer is B!

Dessert (with two s‘s) is a sweet course eaten after a meal. Desert is a hot, dry landscape. Since we’re talking about food after dinner, dessert is correct.

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  1. What does the word “complement” mean?
His blue tie was a perfect complement to his dark suit.
  1. A discount or reduction in price
  2. A rude remark or criticism
  3. Praise or admiration
  4. Something that completes or enhances something else
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The correct answer is B!

Complement means something that completes or goes well with something else. Compliment (with an i) means praise. The tie enhances the suit, so complement is correct.

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  1. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
I have ______ much work to do today, and I won’t be able to finish everything.
  1. to
  2. too
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The correct answer is B!

Too means “also” or “excessively.” To is a preposition. “Too much work” means an excessive amount of work.

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  1. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
I had a guilty ______ about breaking my promise to my friend.
  1. conscience
  2. conscious
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The correct answer is A!

Conscience (noun) is your inner moral sense. Conscious (adjective) means aware or intentional. “Having a guilty conscience” refers to feeling morally troubled about something you did.

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  1. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
Everyone was required to ______ the new policy.
  1. except
  2. accept
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The correct answer is B!

Accept means to agree to or receive. Except means to exclude. Everyone must “accept” the new policy.

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  1. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
She bought beautiful decorative ______ for her thank you cards and letters.
  1. stationary
  2. stationery
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The correct answer is B!

Stationery (with ery) refers to writing paper, envelopes, and supplies. Stationary (with ary) means not moving or staying in place. Since the sentence is about paper goods, stationery is correct.

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  1. Which words correctly complete the sentence?
The school ______ announced a new attendance policy based on the ______ of fairness.
  1. principal/principal
  2. principle/principal
  3. principal/principle
  4. principle/principle
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The correct answer is B!

Principal is the school leader or the main amount. Principle is a rule or standard of conduct. The principal (person) announced a policy based on the principle (standard) of fairness.

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  1. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
When the driver pressed the ______ pedal, the car came to a sudden stop.
  1. brake
  2. break
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The correct answer is A!

Brake is a device that stops a vehicle or slows its motion. Break means to separate into pieces or to pause. A car’s brake pedal controls stopping.

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  1. Which sentence is written correctly?
  1. The actor did good performing his difficult role.
  2. He felt well that his performance went good.
  3. He performed his role well in the school play.
  4. He performed his role good in the school play.
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The correct answer is B!

Well is an adverb that describes how an action is performed. Good is an adjective that describes a noun. “Performed well” is correct because it modifies the verb performed.

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  1. Which words correctly complete the sentence?
The boxer’s grip was ______ on the rope, and he didn’t want to ______ his advantage.
  1. loose/loose
  2. lose/loose
  3. lose/lose
  4. loose/lose
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The correct answer is A!

Loose means not tight or relaxed. Lose means to no longer have or to be defeated. The boxer’s grip is loose (not tight), and he doesn’t want to lose (give up) his advantage.

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  1. Which words correctly complete both blanks?
I was ______ to attend the concert, and I heard my favorite songs sung ______ by the artist.
  1. aloud/allowed
  2. allowed/allowed
  3. aloud/aloud
  4. allowed/aloud
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The correct answer is D!

Allowed is a verb meaning “permitted.” Aloud is an adverb meaning “in a voice that can be heard.” The sentence needs allowed (was permitted) in the first blank and aloud (sung out loud) in the second.

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  1. Which words correctly complete the sentence?
The ______ met to discuss new policies and sought ______ from experienced administrators.
  1. counsel/council
  2. council/council
  3. council/counsel
  4. counsel/counsel
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The correct answer is C!

Council is a group that meets to make decisions. Counsel means advice or a lawyer who provides guidance. The council (group) sought counsel (advice) from administrators.

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  1. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
I couldn’t ______ for my test results any longer, so I decided to check my email right away.
  1. wait
  2. weight
  3. await
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The correct answer is A!

Wait means to stay in place or delay until something happens. Weight refers to how heavy something is. The sentence means “I couldn’t delay any longer,” so wait is correct.

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