Words that sound alike, such as principal and principle; words that look alike, such as affect and effect; and words that are often misspelt, such as accommodate. This lesson shows how to decide which word a sentence needs, the memory tricks that separate the common pairs, and the handful of spelling rules that cover most of the words CUET asks.
This chapter covers three kinds of question that trip up good readers:
None of these is on NTA's list of item types. They are here because the papers since 2022 have asked a homophone or a spelling question in most shifts, and because a student who reads well can still lose these marks by rushing.
The part of speech. Many confusable pairs are the same idea in two grammatical forms, and the sentence allows only one:
| Noun | Verb |
|---|---|
| advice | advise |
| practice | practise |
| effect | affect |
| breath | breathe |
After "a", "the", "some" or "my", you need the noun. After "will", "can", "to" or a subject such as "they", you need the verb.
Example 1 · Noun or verb
The doctor's ______ was to rest for a week. Options: advise; advice; advised; advising.
"The doctor's ___" needs a noun: something the doctor had.
Advice is the noun. Advise, advised and advising are all forms of the verb.
Advice.
A way to remember: advice, with c, is the noun, like "ice"; advise, with s, is the verb, like "rise".
Then it is meaning alone, and a memory trick helps. These are the pairs CUET asks most:
| Pair | The trick |
|---|---|
| principal, principle | the principal is your pal; a principle is a rule |
| stationary, stationery | a for at rest; e for envelopes |
| complement, compliment | complement completes; compliment is "I like it" |
| desert, dessert | dessert has two s's, because you always want seconds |
| affect, effect | affect is the action, effect is the end result |
| beside, besides | beside is next to; besides, with s, is in addition |
| continual, continuous | continual stops and starts; continuous never stops |
| lose, loose | lose has lost an o |
Watch out
In a homophone question, all four options often sound the same when read aloud. Do not say them in your head; look at each spelling and ask what that spelling means. The sound is exactly what the question is designed to hide behind.
A few rules explain most of the words that appear:
Example 2 · Count the doubles
Choose the correctly spelt word. Options: accomodate; acommodate; accommodate; accommadate.
The word has two pairs of double letters: cc and mm. Ac-com-mo-date.
Only one option has both pairs and the o in the right place.
Accommodate.
A trick: it is big enough to accommodate two c's and two m's.
Break the word into syllables and say each one slowly: "pro-nun-ci-a-tion", not "pro-noun-ci-a-tion". Most misspellings come from spelling a word the way it is carelessly said, or the way a related word is spelt.
Which word
Spelling rules
Traps
Many of the look-alike pairs here come up as traps in one-word substitution and choosing the correct word.
Every word the questions below test, with the meaning they test it in. Tap a word for an example and to add it to My words, where it comes back for review over the next two weeks.
120 questions, grouped by type, easy to hard. Pick an answer and check it. The worked solution opens when you ask for it.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The school ______ gave away the prizes on Annual Day.
AnswerD · principal
The principal is the head of a school, the person who gives prizes.
Worth noting
Principle sounds the same but means a rule or belief. A trick: the principal is your "pal".
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The shop near our school sells notebooks, pens and other ______.
AnswerB · stationery
Stationery means writing materials. Think "e" for envelopes.
Worth noting
Stationary sounds the same but means not moving.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The teacher paid Ravi a ______ on his neat handwriting.
AnswerC · compliment
A compliment is praise. Think "i" for "I like it".
Worth noting
Complement, with an e, means something that completes or goes well with another thing.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The ______ was so bad that the match was called off.
AnswerB · weather
Weather is the state of rain, wind and heat.
Worth noting
Whether sounds almost the same but joins two choices, as in "whether or not".
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
I cannot decide ______ to study science or commerce.
AnswerA · whether
Whether introduces a choice between two things.
Worth noting
Weather sounds the same but is rain and sun. Either would need "or" in a different shape of sentence.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
After years of war, the two countries finally made ______.
AnswerD · peace
Peace is the absence of war.
Worth noting
Piece sounds the same but means a part of something.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Please give me a ______ of paper to write on.
AnswerC · piece
A piece is a part of something, here of paper.
Worth noting
Peace means calm or no war. Peice is a misspelling.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The snow-covered mountains were a beautiful ______.
AnswerB · sight
A sight is something you see.
Worth noting
Site is a place, and cite means to quote.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The driver slammed on the ______ just in time.
AnswerA · brake
The brake is what stops a vehicle.
Worth noting
Break sounds the same but means to smash, or a rest.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The children spent the ______ day at the zoo.
AnswerC · whole
Whole means all of something, here the entire day.
Worth noting
Hole sounds the same but is an empty space in something.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The new bridge is made of ______ and concrete.
AnswerC · steel
Steel is a strong metal.
Worth noting
Steal sounds the same but means to take what is not yours.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Please turn off the tap; do not ______ water.
AnswerD · waste
To waste is to use carelessly.
Worth noting
Waist sounds the same but is the middle part of the body.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The teacher asked Meena to read the poem ______ to the class.
AnswerB · aloud
Aloud means in a voice others can hear.
Worth noting
Allowed sounds the same but means permitted.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The tailor will ______ the shirt so that it fits you.
AnswerA · alter
To alter is to change.
Worth noting
Altar sounds the same but is a holy table in a place of worship.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The film was so slow that the audience grew ______.
AnswerB · bored
Bored means tired and uninterested.
Worth noting
Board sounds the same but is a flat piece of wood or a group of directors.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The auto driver asked for double the usual ______ at night.
AnswerC · fare
The fare is the money you pay to travel.
Worth noting
Fair sounds the same but means just, or a mela.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Mother mixed the ______ with water to make chapati dough.
AnswerD · flour
Flour is ground grain, used for chapatis.
Worth noting
Flower sounds the same but is the part of a plant that blooms.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The new sandals rubbed against her ______ and caused a blister.
AnswerB · heel
The heel is the back part of the foot.
Worth noting
Heal sounds the same but means to become healthy again.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Every morning the old woman goes to the temple to ______.
AnswerA · pray
To pray is to speak to God.
Worth noting
Prey sounds the same but is an animal hunted by another.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The police reached the ______ of the accident within minutes.
AnswerC · scene
The scene is the place where something happens.
Worth noting
Seen sounds the same but is a form of see, as in "I have seen it".
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Grandmother told us a ______ about a clever monkey and a crocodile.
AnswerD · tale
A tale is a story.
Worth noting
Tail sounds the same but is the part at the back of an animal.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The doctor checked the baby's ______ every month.
AnswerB · weight
Weight is how heavy someone is.
Worth noting
Wait sounds the same but means to stay until something happens.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Let us ______ outside the library at five.
AnswerB · meet
To meet is to come together with someone.
Worth noting
Meat sounds the same but is the flesh of an animal eaten as food.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The postman delivers the ______ at ten every morning.
AnswerC · mail
Mail is letters and parcels sent by post.
Worth noting
Male sounds the same but means a man or boy.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
He never tells a lie; it is against his ______.
AnswerA · principles
Principles are the beliefs that guide how you act. Lying is against them.
Worth noting
Principals are heads of schools, which cannot be what lying is against.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The truck hit a ______ car parked at the side of the road.
AnswerC · stationary
Stationary means not moving, as a parked car is. Think "a" for "at rest".
Worth noting
Stationery sounds the same but means paper and pens.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The village ______ decided to build a new well.
AnswerD · council
A council is a group chosen to make decisions for a place.
Worth noting
Counsel sounds the same but means advice. Councillor is one member of a council, not the whole group.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Workers wearing helmets filled the building ______.
AnswerD · site
A site is a place where something is built.
Worth noting
Sight is what you see, and cite means to quote a source.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
After his father's death, he became the ______ earner of the family.
AnswerA · sole
Sole means only. He was the only one earning.
Worth noting
Soul sounds the same but means the spirit of a person.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
On the night train, I slept on the upper ______.
AnswerD · berth
A berth is a bed on a train or ship.
Worth noting
Birth sounds the same but means being born.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
She joined a six-month ______ in computer skills.
AnswerA · course
A course is a set of lessons.
Worth noting
Coarse sounds the same but means rough.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The eagle circled high above, looking for ______.
AnswerB · prey
Prey is an animal hunted for food.
Worth noting
Pray sounds the same but means to speak to God.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
They tried to save the old tree, but all their efforts were in ______.
AnswerC · vain
"In vain" means without success.
Worth noting
Vein is a blood vessel, and vane shows the wind's direction.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The nurse found a ______ in his arm and gave the injection.
AnswerA · vein
A vein is a tube that carries blood.
Worth noting
Vain sounds the same but means too proud, or without success.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
______ out the wet clothes before hanging them on the line.
AnswerD · Wring
To wring clothes is to twist them to squeeze out water.
Worth noting
Ring sounds the same but means a circle, or to sound a bell.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
A cold cloth on the forehead will ______ the fever.
AnswerA · lessen
To lessen is to make less.
Worth noting
Lesson sounds the same but is a period of teaching.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The cricket ball smashed a window ______ in the house next door.
AnswerD · pane
A pane is a sheet of glass in a window.
Worth noting
Pain sounds the same but means hurt.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The red border ______ the white sari beautifully.
AnswerB · complements
To complement is to go well with something and make it better, as a border does a sari.
Worth noting
Compliments means praises, and a border cannot praise.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Before deciding on a college, she sought the ______ of her old teacher.
AnswerA · counsel
Counsel is advice, which is what she sought.
Worth noting
Council is a group of people, and consul is an official in a foreign city.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The villagers wove blankets from ______ goat hair.
AnswerC · coarse
Coarse means rough, as goat hair is.
Worth noting
Course sounds the same but means a set of lessons or a path.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Staying up late will ______ your performance in the exam.
AnswerD · affect
Affect is the verb: to change or influence. Here the sentence needs a verb after "will".
Worth noting
Effect is usually a noun, the result. A trick: Affect is the Action, Effect is the End result.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The new rule had a good ______ on attendance.
AnswerA · effect
Effect is the noun: the result. "A good ___" needs a noun.
Worth noting
Affect is the verb, so it cannot follow "a good".
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
All the students passed ______ two.
AnswerB · except
Except means not including: all passed, but not two.
Worth noting
Accept sounds similar but means to take or agree to.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
My uncle gave me some useful ______ about choosing a college.
AnswerC · advice
Advice is the noun. "Some useful ___" needs a noun.
Worth noting
Advise is the verb. Advices is not used: advice cannot be counted.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The doctor ______ him to rest for a week.
AnswerD · advised
Advise is the verb, and the sentence is in the past: advised.
Worth noting
Advice is the noun, and "adviced" is a common misspelling.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The shirt is too ______; buy a smaller size.
AnswerA · loose
Loose means not tight, which is why a smaller size is needed.
Worth noting
Lose means to fail to keep something, and it has only one o.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
After dinner we had gulab jamun for ______.
AnswerC · dessert
Dessert, with two s's, is the sweet at the end of a meal. Think: you always want seconds.
Worth noting
Desert, with one s, is a dry sandy place.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Camels can travel for days across the ______ without water.
AnswerB · desert
A desert is a large dry, sandy area.
Worth noting
Dessert is a sweet dish.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The smoke was so thick that we could hardly ______.
AnswerB · breathe
Breathe, with an e, is the verb: to take in air. After "could", a verb is needed.
Worth noting
Breath is the noun: the air itself.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The runner stopped to catch his ______.
AnswerA · breath
Breath is the noun: the air you take in. "Catch his ___" needs a noun.
Worth noting
Breathe is the verb, and breadth means width.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
I ______ whether it will rain tomorrow.
AnswerA · wonder
To wonder is to think and want to know.
Worth noting
Wander means to walk around without a plan.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The tailor needs two metres of ______ to make the kurta.
AnswerC · cloth
Cloth is the woven material itself.
Worth noting
Clothe is the verb, to dress someone, and clothes are the garments made from cloth.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
It took the family a few months to ______ to life in the city.
AnswerD · adapt
To adapt to something is to change to suit it.
Worth noting
Adopt means to take as your own, such as a child or a plan. Adept means skilled.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The couple decided to ______ a child from the orphanage.
AnswerC · adopt
To adopt a child is to take it legally as your own.
Worth noting
Adapt means to change to suit a situation.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The little boy sat ______ his grandmother on the bench.
AnswerD · beside
Beside means next to.
Worth noting
Besides, with an s, means in addition to.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
______ Hindi and English, she can speak Bengali and Marathi.
AnswerB · Besides
Besides means in addition to: she speaks those as well.
Worth noting
Beside, without the s, means next to.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
She is very ______ and cries if anyone speaks harshly to her.
AnswerA · sensitive
Sensitive means easily hurt.
Worth noting
Sensible means having good sense, which does not explain crying.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Dowry and child marriage are ______ evils that the law has tried to end.
AnswerD · social
Social means to do with society and how people live together, which is what dowry and child marriage are about.
Worth noting
Sociable means friendly and fond of company; it describes people, not evils.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Priya is a very ______ child; she makes up stories about talking rivers and flying elephants.
AnswerA · imaginative
Imaginative means full of new ideas, which describes a child who makes up such stories.
Worth noting
Imaginary means not real. The rivers in her stories are imaginary, but Priya herself is real, so she is imaginative.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The ______ ringing of his phone, every few minutes, made it hard to work.
AnswerC · continual
Continual means happening again and again with breaks, as "every few minutes" shows.
Worth noting
Continuous means without any break at all.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The ______ rain for three days, without a pause, flooded the town.
AnswerA · continuous
Continuous means going on without any break, as "without a pause" says.
Worth noting
Continual would mean it stopped and started again.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Only a ______ person would believe that email about winning a lottery.
AnswerB · credulous
Credulous means too ready to believe.
Worth noting
Credible means believable, used of stories, not of the person who believes them.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
My grandmother is very ______ with money and never wastes a rupee.
AnswerC · economical
Economical means careful to use little money, food or fuel.
Worth noting
Economic means to do with the economy, as in economic growth, and it is not used to describe a person.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The new law asks for ______ treatment of stray dogs.
AnswerA · humane
Humane means kind and not causing needless pain.
Worth noting
Human means belonging to people, which does not describe treatment.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The ______ student worked on her project every evening.
AnswerD · industrious
Industrious means hard-working.
Worth noting
Industrial means to do with factories and industry.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Only authorised ______ are allowed beyond this gate.
AnswerC · personnel
Personnel means the people who work for an organisation.
Worth noting
Personal means private or your own, as in personal diary.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
After the meeting, the leaders returned to their ______ countries.
AnswerB · respective
Respective means belonging to each one: each leader to his own country.
Worth noting
Respectful means showing respect, which does not describe countries here.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The old poet looked at the sea with ______ wonder.
AnswerB · childlike
Childlike describes the good qualities of a child, such as wonder.
Worth noting
Childish is used as a criticism, for silly behaviour.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
With ______ use of the little water they had, the farmers saved the crop.
AnswerC · judicious
Judicious means wise and sensible.
Worth noting
Judicial means to do with judges and courts.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The moon landing was a ______ event in human history.
AnswerD · momentous
Momentous means very important for the future.
Worth noting
Momentary means lasting only a moment, close to the opposite in weight.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
A short prayer will ______ the start of the match.
AnswerB · precede
To precede is to come before.
Worth noting
Proceed means to go on or continue.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Chennai was ______ known as Madras.
AnswerC · formerly
Formerly means in the past.
Worth noting
Formally means in an official or correct way, as in formally dressed.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Every student has ______ to the computer lab after school.
AnswerD · access
Access is the right to use or enter something.
Worth noting
Excess means too much.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The boy made an ______ machine that fed his hens automatically.
AnswerD · ingenious
Ingenious means very clever and original.
Worth noting
Ingenuous means innocent and too trusting; the two differ by one letter.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
Please be ______ and do not tell anyone about her illness.
AnswerA · discreet
Discreet means careful not to reveal private matters.
Worth noting
Discrete means separate and distinct, as in discrete parts.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The poet's line about the golden deer is an ______ to the Ramayana.
AnswerC · allusion
An allusion is an indirect mention of something.
Worth noting
Illusion is a false idea or image, like a magic trick.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The police will ______ the driver for causing the accident.
AnswerB · prosecute
To prosecute is to accuse officially in a court.
Worth noting
Persecute means to treat cruelly and unfairly, often for beliefs.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The two brothers reached an ______ agreement over the family land.
AnswerA · amicable
Amicable describes friendly agreements and relations.
Worth noting
Amiable means friendly too, but it describes people, not agreements.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
A new motorcycle begins to ______ in value the day you buy it.
AnswerD · depreciate
To depreciate is to lose value.
Worth noting
Appreciate is the opposite: to gain value. Deprecate means to disapprove of.
Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence.
The main road was closed, so we had no ______ but to take the forest track.
AnswerB · alternative
An alternative is another choice. "No alternative but" means no other choice.
Worth noting
Alternate means every other one, as in alternate days.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: needed; that must be had.
AnswerA · necessary
Necessary has one c and two s's. A trick: one collar, two sleeves.
Worth noting
Neccessary doubles the c, which is the commonest mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: certainly; without any doubt.
AnswerD · definitely
Definitely comes from "finite", so it has -finite- in the middle.
Worth noting
Definately is one of the most common spelling mistakes in English.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: to get something that is sent or given.
AnswerC · receive
Receive follows the rule "i before e, except after c": after c, it is -ei-.
Worth noting
Recieve breaks that rule and is the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: to succeed in doing something after effort.
AnswerB · achieve
Achieve follows "i before e": there is no c just before it, so it is -ie-.
Worth noting
Acheive puts e first, the mistake the rule is there to prevent.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: apart; not joined.
AnswerA · separate
Separate has "a rat" in the middle: sep-a-rat-e.
Worth noting
Seperate is the most common mistake in this word.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: the group of people who rule a country.
AnswerB · government
Government is "govern" plus "-ment", so the n stays.
Worth noting
Goverment drops the n, as the word is often said aloud.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: to suggest that something is good.
AnswerA · recommend
Recommend has one c and a double m: re-com-mend.
Worth noting
Reccommend doubles the c instead of the m.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a place where you buy and eat meals.
AnswerC · restaurant
Restaurant is rest-au-rant, with "au" in the middle.
Worth noting
Resturant drops the a, as the word is often said.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: the day after today.
AnswerD · tomorrow
Tomorrow has one m and a double r.
Worth noting
Tommorow reverses the doubles, the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: to provide room for someone or something.
AnswerD · accommodate
Accommodate has a double c and a double m: ac-com-mo-date.
Worth noting
Accomodate, with one m, is the most common mistake in this word.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: to make someone feel ashamed or silly.
AnswerC · embarrass
Embarrass has a double r and a double s.
Worth noting
Embarass, with one r, is the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: awake and aware of what is around you.
AnswerB · conscious
Conscious is spelt c-o-n-s-c-i-o-u-s, with "sc" in the middle.
Worth noting
Conscience is a different word, the sense of right and wrong.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a group of people chosen to plan or decide something.
AnswerD · committee
Committee has a double m, a double t and a double e.
Worth noting
Commitee, with one t, drops one of the three doubles.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: the natural world around us.
AnswerC · environment
Environment is "environ" plus "-ment", so the n before -ment stays.
Worth noting
Enviroment drops the n, as the word is often said.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: to make something seem bigger or worse than it is.
AnswerD · exaggerate
Exaggerate has a double g: ex-ag-ger-ate.
Worth noting
Exagerate, with one g, is the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: liking to play tricks and cause small trouble.
AnswerB · mischievous
Mischievous has three syllables, mis-chie-vous, and no i before the -ous.
Worth noting
Mischievious adds an extra i and syllable, as the word is often said wrongly.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a firm promise that something will work.
AnswerD · guarantee
Guarantee has a u after the g and ends in -tee: guar-an-tee.
Worth noting
Garantee drops the u, and guarentee puts e for a.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: free and not controlled by others.
AnswerB · independent
Independent ends in -ent, not -ant.
Worth noting
Independant is the usual mistake, from the sound of the last syllable.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: the elected group that makes a country's laws.
AnswerB · parliament
Parliament has "ia" in the middle: par-lia-ment.
Worth noting
Parliment drops the a, the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: the scientific study of the mind.
AnswerC · psychology
Psychology begins with a silent p and has "ch": psy-cho-lo-gy.
Worth noting
Psycology drops the h, and sychology the silent p.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: something that happens; an event.
AnswerB · occurrence
Occurrence has a double c, a double r, and ends in -ence.
Worth noting
Occurence, with one r, is the usual slip; occurrance has the wrong ending.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: the inner sense of right and wrong.
AnswerA · conscience
Conscience is "con" plus "science": con-science.
Worth noting
Conscious is a different word: awake and aware.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a special right or advantage.
AnswerC · privilege
Privilege has no d, and its vowels go i-i-e: priv-i-lege.
Worth noting
Priviledge adds a d that is not there.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a regular, repeated pattern of sounds.
AnswerA · rhythm
Rhythm is spelt r-h-y-t-h-m, with two h's and no vowel after the y.
Worth noting
Rythm drops the first h, the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: the work of keeping something in good condition.
AnswerD · maintenance
Maintenance comes from "maintain" but drops the "ai": main-te-nance.
Worth noting
Maintainance keeps the spelling of maintain, which is the natural but wrong guess.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: the way a word is said.
AnswerD · pronunciation
Pronunciation drops the o of "pronounce": pro-nun-ci-a-tion.
Worth noting
Pronounciation keeps the o of pronounce, the most common mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a written list of questions.
AnswerC · questionnaire
Questionnaire has a double n and ends in -aire.
Worth noting
Questionaire, with one n, is the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a period of a thousand years.
AnswerA · millennium
Millennium has a double l and a double n.
Worth noting
Millenium, with one n, is the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a person who starts a business and takes the risk.
AnswerB · entrepreneur
Entrepreneur is entre-pre-neur, ending in -eur as in French.
Worth noting
Enterpreneur mixes it up with "enterprise".
Choose the correctly spelt word for: careful watching of a person or place, often by police.
AnswerB · surveillance
Surveillance is sur-veil-lance, with "ei" and a double l.
Worth noting
Surveilance, with one l, is the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: careful to do one's work well and thoroughly.
AnswerA · conscientious
Conscientious is built on "conscience" with the ending -tious: con-sci-en-tious.
Worth noting
Consciencious keeps the c of conscience, the natural but wrong guess.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a system in which people are ranked one above another.
AnswerC · hierarchy
Hierarchy begins "hier-", with i before e: hi-er-ar-chy.
Worth noting
Heirarchy mixes it up with "heir", a person who inherits.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a person one knows slightly.
AnswerC · acquaintance
Acquaintance has "cq" and ends in -ance: ac-quain-tance.
Worth noting
Aquaintance drops the c before the q, the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: to keep annoying or troubling someone.
AnswerA · harass
Harass has one r and a double s.
Worth noting
Harrass doubles the r as well, the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: an army officer of low rank.
AnswerC · lieutenant
Lieutenant begins "lieu", from French: lieu-ten-ant.
Worth noting
Leutenant drops the i, and lieutenent puts e for a in the ending.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: very small; a small copy of something.
AnswerA · miniature
Miniature is mini-a-ture, with an a before -ture.
Worth noting
Miniture drops that a, as the word is often said.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: continuing to try in spite of difficulty.
AnswerD · perseverance
Perseverance is per-se-ver-ance, ending in -ance.
Worth noting
Perserverance adds an r after "per", as the word is often said.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: easy to see or notice.
AnswerA · noticeable
Noticeable keeps the e of "notice" before -able, so the c stays soft.
Worth noting
Noticable drops that e, the usual mistake.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: a person one works with.
AnswerB · colleague
Colleague has a double l and ends in -league: col-league.
Worth noting
Collegue drops the a, as the word is often said.
Choose the correctly spelt word for: rings, necklaces and other ornaments.
AnswerD · jewellery
In British and Indian English, jewellery has a double l: jewel-lery.
Worth noting
Jewelery, with one l and the extra e, mixes up the British and American spellings.
NTA's English syllabus is one page. It names two skill areas: Reading Comprehension, with three kinds of passage of at most 300 words each (factual, narrative and literary), and Verbal Ability, with four item types (rearranging the parts, match the following, choosing the correct word, synonyms and antonyms). It says the questions are not limited to these, and prints no chapters and no split of the 50 questions. So the chapters here are ours. Reading is split by the kind of passage, because a poem is not read the way a report is. Verbal Ability is split into three areas of our own: Vocabulary, Sentence & paragraph order, and Grammar & usage. Where a chapter covers something past NTA's short list, it says so, and it is there because the papers since 2022 have asked it.