Лексический тест № 2

Вариант1

1. It usually takes 11 years of study after high/higher school to become a physician
2. I did a secretarial course and got a degree/diploma 
3. He has to pass/get four exams but I am not sure if he is ready for them
4. It is a question of principal/principle
5. The principal/principle cities in Scotland are Glasgow and Edinburg
6. Besides /except for these east-west ranges several series of mountain extend in a north- south direction
7. She gives private/ public English lessons at weekends
8. Bratsk is a city in eastern Russia, in in the southwest area/district/region of eastern Siberia , in western Irkutsk area /district/ region 
9. He lived in the shade/shadow of his famous father
10. It is so hot. Let`s sit in the shade /shadow 
11. Their tiring journey/travel/trip from Vladivostok to Moscow lasted a week
12. Let`s make a tour/trip/ journey  to Disneyland!
13. Don`t stand in the road/way, step aside!
14. The surface of a road/ way is called a pavement/route 
15. The indirect bus way/ road/route/path made us annoyed
16. Common sense/feeling tells me to avoid this man
17. We followed the mapped way/road/route/ path and took the most picturesque sights
18. The government introduced a bill on immigration politics/ policy 
19. He wandered/ wondered what her next step would be
20. The sense /feeling of honor prevented her from going there

Test 1.

1. His decision affected/ effected the life of his family as well.

2. His affect / effect on the life of his family was profound.

3. He glanced / stared blankly at the paper in front of me.

4. If you look / stare carefully you can just see our house from here.

5. John, it is impolite to glance / stare / gaze at people like this.

6. He had been glancing / glimpsing / gazing at her for time and then turned away.

7. She takes after / looks like her father, as bad-tempered as he used to be.

8. The twins take after / look like each other, but the elder is quieter; he takes  affter / looks like his calm mother.

9. They look like / are alike, they both look like / are alike their mother.

10. He looks like / is alike his elder brother, they look like / are alike.

11. Her sister looks like / is alike her cousin.        

12. He drives / rides a car skillfully, he is a good driver / rider.

13.She drove / rode me to the station in time though there was heavy traffic on the road and she drove / rode a car at a low speed.

14. When I was in India, I drove / rode on an elephant. It was terrific.

15. It only takes me five minutes to dress / put on in the morning.

16. He dresses / wears in a particular way, and dresses / wears clothes of a particular style.

17. She was wearing / dressing  a fur coat over her evening dress.

18. He often wandered / wondered along the quay looking at the ships entering the harbour and wandered / wondered what countries they were coming from.

19. This man was found wandering / wondering about with no money or papers.  

20. Nobody should go into politics / policy unless he has a hide like a rhinoceros.

Test 2

1. The government introduced a bill on immigration politics / policy.

2. Politics/ policy refers to a person`s political views or beliefs

3. I wandered/wondered why he had left so early

4. I like wandering / wondering  in the hillsearly in the morning

5. She was a woman of taste who liked to dress/ put on well in expensive clothes

6. She doesn`t follow fashion and dresses /wears the same clothes for years

7.  Let’s take our motorcycles and go for a drive/ride to the lake.

8. Come with us for a drive/ride in Nick’s new automobile to the country.

9. Her sister looks like/is like her cousin.

10. She takes after/looks like her mother, a beauty.

11. Thought she takes after/looks like her sweet-tempered mother, she takes after/looks like her plain father.

12. He quickly gazed/glanced/stared at the mail and sat into the armchair.

13. John, it is impolite to glance/stare/gaze at people like this.

14. At first glance/stare the problem seemed easy.

15. He looked/stared up blankly at the hole in the ceiling.

16. She glanced/started at him in despair.

17. Thanks to our research we have received desirable affects/effects.

18. His decision affected/effected the life of his family as well.

19. Does television after/effect on children’s behaviour?

20. He gaze/stare/glance at it for hours.  

Confusing words - part 1

Contents

1.        ACCEPT / EXCEPT        2

2.        ADVICE / ADVISE        2

3.        AFFECT / EFFECT        2

4.        ANYONE / ANY ONE / ANYWAY / ANY WAY        2

5.        ANYTHING / EVERYTHING / ANYWHERE / EVERYWHERE        2

6.        BESIDE / BESIDES        2

7.        BRING / TAKE        2

8.        DESERT / DESSERT        3

9.        ECONOMIC / ECONOMICAL        3

10.        IN / INTO        3

11.        IT’S / ITS        3

12.        LEARN / TEACH / STUDY        3

13.        LEND / BORROW        3

14.        LEND / LOAN        3

15.        LIE / LIE / LAY        3

16.        LIVE / LIFE        4

17.        LOOK / WATCH / SEE        4

18.        LOSE / LOOSE        4

19.        OF / OFF        4

20.        ONCE / ONE’S / ONES        4

21.        OVER / ABOVE        4

22.        PAST / PASSED        4

23.        PERSONAL / PERSONNEL        5

24.        PIECE / PEACE        5

25.        PRIZE / PRICE / PRISE        5

26.        QUIT / QUITE / QUIET        5

27.        RIDE / DRIVE        5

28.        RISE / RAISE        5

29.        SAFE / SAVE        5

30.        SAY / TELL        6

31.        STATIONARY / STATIONERY        6

32.        STEAL / STEEL        6

33.        THEN / THAN        6

34.        THERE / THEIR / THEY’RE        6

35.        THIS / THESE        6

36.        TO / TOO / TWO        6

37.        UNDER / BELOW        6

38.        WEATHER / WHETHER        7

39.        WHEREVER / WHERE EVER        7

40.        WHO’S / WHOSE        7

Choose the correct word from the following pairs:

1. ACCEPT / EXCEPT

1. I offered her an apology, but she wouldn’t __________ it.
2. The museum is open daily __________ Mondays.
3. Everyone was there ___________ for Sally.
4. The new telephones will ___________ coins of any denomination.

2. ADVICE / ADVISE

1. I ___________ you to see a doctor.
2. She didn’t listen to her father’s __________.
3. I’m very grateful to you for your __________.
4. I really don’t know what to ____________.

3. AFFECT / EFFECT

1. The punishment had no ________ on him. As soon as he left the prison he began to steal again.
2. The new taxes will __________ the rich. They’ll have to pay more.
3. The higher bus fares won’t ___________ me. I have a car.
4. The medicine had an immediate _________ . I felt better at once.

4. ANYONE / ANY ONE / ANYWAY / ANY WAY

1. I love him ___________.
2. Is there ____________ of these books you didn’t like?
3. Is there _____________ I can help you?
4. ____________ can see that this is not right.

5. ANYTHING / EVERYTHING / ANYWHERE / EVERYWHERE

1. He has done ____________ in his life.
2. You can use this card _____________.
3. Have you seen my glasses ______________ ?
4. He never does ____________ for me.

6. BESIDE / BESIDES

1. There is not much to do ___________ setting the table.
2. There was a small table _____________ the bed.
3. __________ Peter and me, who else is coming to your party tonight ?
4. Sarah was ___________ herself with joy, when Tom proposed to her.
5. It was too late to go to the cinema. ___________, I was too busy.

7. BRING / TAKE / FETCH

1. Can you ________ me to the station, please ?
2. You can ________ your wife to our party.
3. This glass has been used - please _________ me a clean one.
4. Can you ________ some milk when you come home ?
5. She ________ the dogs for a walk every morning.
6. He _________ another chair from the dining room. (s.p.)

8. DESERT / DESSERT

1. He _______ed his wife and family for another woman.
2. If you make the main course, I’ll make a __________.
3. Banyuls is an excellent _____________ wine.
4. They were lost in the Sahara ___________ for several days.

9. ECONOMIC / ECONOMICAL

1. It’s not very __________ to leave the lights on when you’re not in the room.
2. Because of the recent strikes, the _____________ situation of the country is very bad.
3. She’s an economist. She’s an expert in _____________ matters.
4. It’s a very _____________ car. It uses very little petrol.

10. IN / INTO

1. The dog is ______ the house somewhere.
2. The frog changed_______ a handsome prince.
3. She put the basket ________ the boot and set off for Central Park.
4. Her books have been translated _________ more than twenty languages.

11. IT’S / ITS

1. Look at this tree. ______ leaves are so pretty !
2. My pain was gone, but now ______ back.
3. ______ been raining, the pavement is wet.
4. Look to the dog ! ______ wagging _______ tail.

12. LEARN / TEACH / STUDY

1. His mother ________ at the university in Oxford.
2. You have to ________ to listen to your inner voice.
3. Your English will improve a lot, if you ________ every day.
4. Can you please ________ me how to make a cake ?
5. She wants to ________ how to swim.

13. LEND / BORROW

1. I can _________ you my car for the weekend.
2. She used to _________ money and not bother to pay it back.
3. He _________ a novel from the library.
4. He doesn’t like _________ing his books.

14. LEND / LOAN

1. If you need a coat, I can ________ you one.
2. Thank you very much for the ________ of your umbrella.
3. The bank refuses to ________ to students.
4. She’s trying to get a ________ to start her own business.

15. LIE / LIE / LAY

(fill in simple past forms only)

1. The snow ________ thick on the hills.
2. Trudy ________ five eggs last week.
3. The theft ________ heavy on his conscience.
4. I suspect he ________about his age.
5. He ________his hand on my shoulder.

16. LIVE / LIFE

1. The concert was broadcast ________ on the Internet.
2. Ocean ________ is being threatened by global warming.
3. I ________ with my parents in London.
4. He touched a ________ wire and got an electric shock.

17. LOOK / WATCH / SEE

1. There is a scary man outside ________ing my house.
2. I can’t ________ any fruit juice in the fridge.
3. He ________ed at his daughter with pride in his eyes.
4. She was ________ out of the window.
5. Football is very popular and many people go and _______ matches on Sunday.
6. Did you ________ the advert in the newspaper ?

18. LOSE / LOOSE

1. Look after that money, or you’ll _______ it.
2. That screw is a bit _______. You’d better tighten it.
3. The opposite of ‘to find’ is to _______.
4. I tied the dog to a tree but it got _______ and ran away.

19. OF / OFF

1. The boys jump _______ the bridge into the river.
2. I’m very proud _______ my son, he worked very hard.
3. Keep _______ the grass ! You mustn’t walk there !
4. You’ll find more exercises on the back _______ the page.

20. ONCE / ONE’S / ONES

1. _______ again I was left with all the washing up.
2. Why don’t you throw those gloves away and get some new _______.
3. One ought to respect _______ parents.
4. He keeps his stamps - he’s got some very rare _______ - in a fireproof safe.
5. This house _______ belonged to my grandfather.
6. I go swimming _______ a week.

21. OVER / ABOVE

1. The car was going _______ a hundred miles an hour.
2. He broke his arm _______ the elbow.
3. The thaw is setting in _______ zero degrees Celsius.
4. He must be _______ seventy by now.

22. PAST / PASSED

1. I’ve ________ the exam!
2. She _______ the post office on her way home, but forgot to go in.
3. The thief hid in a doorway and the policeman ran _______ him.
4. It was _______ midnight when I finally got to bed.

23. PERSONAL / PERSONNEL

1. The new director is likely to make major changes in __________ .
2. Her uncle takes a __________ interest in her progress.
3. I will give the matter my ___________ attention.
4. The __________ department will help you find a flat to rent.

24. PIECE / PEACE

1. After a busy day, all I want is _______ and quiet.
2. This jigsaw puzzle has two ________ missing.
3. The _______ conference was organized by the UN.
4. The vase lay on the floor in _______.

25. PRIZE / PRICE / PRISE

1. He robbed a bank. Now he has to pay the _______.
2. Sally almost won the first _______ in the beauty contest.
3. The burglar _______ the window and climbed through.
4. Can you guess the asking _______ of this house ?

26. QUIT / QUITE / QUIET

1. Would you _______ your job if you inherited lots of money?
2. She’s got _______ a bit of money.
3. Press Q to _______ the program.
4. He’s _______ attractive but not what I’d call gorgeous.
5. Could you keep _______ while I’m on the phone, please ?
6. It was a _______ wedding, with just a few friends and relations.

27. RIDE / DRIVE

1. Can I _______ with you ? I don’t have a car.
2. The _______ to my parents’ house takes 20 minutes.
3. Most children like to _______ on trains.
4. Can you _______ ? I’m too tired.

28. RISE / RAISE

1. He _______ed his voice in anger.
2. The sun _______ in the East.
3. The host was very friendly. He _______ to welcome us.
4. We were born and _______ in New York.

29. SAFE / SAVE

1. Swim lessons can _______ your children’s lives.
2. Better to be _______ than sorry.
3. It is necessary to _______ for your future.
4. I hope you have a _______ and pleasant journey.

30. SAY / TELL

1. My boss _______ me to work harder. (past s.)
2. Lisa _______ that she works in an office.
3. _______ your brother why you lied to him.
4. She _______ she probably lost her purse in the department store. (past s.)
5. How do I know ? I can’t _______ the future.

31. STATIONARY / STATIONERY

1. The traffic got slower and slower until it was __________.
2. The __________ supplies are kept in that cupboard over there.
3. The motorcyclist collided with a __________ van.
4. I found these Christmas cards at our local __________ shop.

32. STEAL / STEEL

1. He always _______ the show.
2. They were so poor they had to _______ in order to eat.
3. The ________ workers are on strike.
4. These _______ plates are mainly used in the automotive industry.

33. THEN / THAN

1. We sold more products _______ we did last year.
2. This project is more challenging _______ I thought.
3. If he is sick, _______ you will have to go to the meeting.
4. Do your homework, _______ you can play.

34. THERE / THEIR / THEY’RE

1. The students are happy. They've finished _________ homework.
2. I’ve got an LCD TV. _________ much better than regular TVs.
3. ________ are many foreign students in my classroom.
4. Tom and Peter left _________ books over _________.

35. THIS / THESE

1. Where were you _______ day last year ?
2. Life is expensive _______ days.
3. Are _______ your keys ?
4. ________ is the best news I’ve heard all week !

36. TO / TOO / TWO

1. We chose for the lesser of _______ evils.
2. I decided it was _______ early to get up and went back to sleep.
3. You can walk from here _______ the station in under 10 minutes.
4. I’ll probably rent that motorhome next year _______.
5. That son of hers should learn to stand on his own _______ feet.
6. I had my back ________ them, so I couldn’t see what they were doing.

37. UNDER / BELOW

1. He collapsed 200 metres _________ the summit.
2. The photo was hidden _________ the mattress.
3. The moon disappeared _________ the horizon.
4. This car can go from nought to sixty in _________ five seconds.

38. WEATHER / WHETHER

1. I don’t know __________ I should consult a doctor or not.
2. Their holiday was spoilt by bad __________.
3. She can’t decide __________ she ought to marry him.
4. What’s the __________ like? Is it sunny?.

39. WHEREVER / WHERE EVER

1. _____________ have you been. I’ve been looking for you everywhere !
2. You always lose your keys ! _____________ did you put them now ?
3. I’ll find him, ______________ he has gone.
4. _____________ have you put my briefcase ? I can’t find it anywhere.

40. WHO’S / WHOSE

1. There was a picture in the paper of a man _______ house had been flooded.
2. _______ been using my computer ?
3. _______ your new business partner ?
4. _______ wallet is lying there on the floor ?

Key

Confusing words - part 2

Contents

1.        ACCESS / EXCESS        2

2.        AMONG / BETWEEN        2

3.        AS / LIKE        2

4.        BASE / BASS        2

5.        BEAR / BEER        2

6.        BEGIN / START        2

7.        BOARD / BORED        2

8.        BRAKE / BREAK        3

9.        CARE / MIND / MATTER        3

10.        CHECK / CHEQUE        3

11.        DEAR / DEER        3

12.        DIE / DYE        3

13.        DROP / FALL / SPILL        3

14.        EXPECT / HOPE        4

15.        FOOD / FOOT        4

16.        HEAR / LISTEN        4

17.        HE’S / HIS        4

18.        HEAL / HEEL / HE’LL        4

19.        HEAR / HERE        4

20.        HOLE / WHOLE        4

21.        HOUR / OUR        4

22.        KNOW / NOW / NO        5

23.        MAJOR / MAYOR        5

24.        MAY BE / MAYBE        5

25.        NECESSARY / NECESSITY        5

26.        OTHER / OTHERS / THE OTHER / ANOTHER        5

27.        PLAIN / PLANE        5

28.        READ / RED        5

29.        RECEIPT / RECIPE        6

30.        RIGHT / WRITE        6

31.        ROAD / RODE        6

32.        SENSE / SENSES        6

33.        SPEAK / TALK        6

34.        SUIT / SUITE / SWEET        6

35.        THEIRS / THERE        7

36.        THREW / THROUGH        7

37.        WAIST / WASTE        7

38.        WANDER / WONDER        7

39.        WERE / WHERE / WE’RE        7

40.        WHICH / WITCH        7

Choose the correct word from the following pairs:

1. ACCESS / EXCESS

1. Senior students have _________ to the library at weekends.
2. An _________ of enthusiasm is not always a good thing.
3. Hackers had complete _________ to the company files.
4. They both eat to _________.

2. AMONG / BETWEEN

1. I saw something lying __________ the wheels of the bus.
2. We found a little house hidden __________ the trees.
3. He shared his property __________ his wife, his daughter, and his sister.
4. How can you find anything __________ all these papers!.

3. AS / LIKE

1. Her hair was so soft it was just ______ silk.
2. Strong leaders, ______ Winston Churchill, are few and far between.
3. He worked for a long time ______ a teacher in Africa.
4. It could be used ______ evidence against him.

4. BASE / BASS

1. One of the lieutenants of the army ________ liked to play ________ guitar.
2. At the ________ of the cliff was a rocky beach.
3. The fisherman hauled an enormous ________ out of the river with his bare hands.
4. I accused him of having ________ motives.

5. BEAR / BEER

1. Last night, I dreamt of a huge brown ________ drinking ________.
2. Don’t give up ! If you ________ down with all your strength, you’ll win.
3. After a hard day’s work I enjoy a ________ or two.
4. The chair, too fragile to ________ her weight, collapsed.

6. BEGIN / START

1. The book was very technical and I couldn't __________ to understand what it was about.
2. It __________ off well, but I soon got bored.
3. Losing the contract was the ___________ of the end of his career.
4. My car wouldn't __________ this morning, so I had to come by bus.

7. BOARD / BORED

1. He was really _________ with playing the same _________ games all the time.
2. When you went to school were you a day student or did you _________?
3. He _________ the dog out when he goes on business trips.
4. I pretended to listen, but I was _________ to death.
5. As soon as I was on _________, I began to have second thoughts about leaving.

8. BRAKE / BREAK

1. You’re supposed to put the hand_________ on whenever you stop on a hill.
2. You’d better stop driving and take a _________. You look tired and _________ nonstop.
3. I need to _________ these shoes in before we run next week.
4. The cyclist didn’t use his _________ in time, causing his bicycle to _________ when it hit the wall.

9. CARE / MIND / MATTER

1. It doesn't _________ if you can’t be here by 8 o’clock. We can start without you and you can join us later.
2. I really don't _________ what happens- I'm sick to death of it all.
3. Would you _________ if I opened the window?
4. Do you _________ to join us for dinner?
5. What really _________ is how hard you try.
6. I don't _________ having a dog in the house so long as it's clean.

10. CHECK / CHEQUE

1. Is Mr. Smith still at the hotel? No, he __________ out this morning.
2. I don’t have any cash on me, so could I pay by __________?
3. Please make your __________ payable to The Brighter Toyshop Ltd.
4. After finished the exam, I __________ my answers for mistakes.

11. DEAR / DEER

1. This car is very ________. I can’t afford to buy it.
2. A ________ have been seen in the area. But I haven’t seen it yet.
3. Oh ________ ! Here we go again !
4. Her most ________ memory of their vacation was getting to see some ________ in the forest.

12. DIE / DYE

1. She thought her dog would ______ after it had drunk that bowl of blue ______.
2. I get grey! I think I’ll ______ my hair from now on.
3. After harvest, the hop plants  ______ back.
4. I used to wrong ______ form my painting. It’s to  ______ for!

13. DROP / FALL / SPILL

1. You have _________ some wine on the tablecloth. I hope I’ll get the stain out!
2. Susie _________ her sunglasses into the fountain.
3. I was in such a hurry that I _________ down the stairs and broke my leg.
4. It’s no use crying over _________ milk.
5. John, could you give me a lift and _________ me at the bus station, please?
6. Poor Kathe _________ flat on her face in the mud.

14. EXPECT / HOPE

1. I __________ it won’t rain this evening. We’re going out for a late walk.
2. We __________ that the guest house would have much better rooms.
3. He hasn’t received his test mark yet, but he __________ he will do well.
4. He is a wise young man. Do you __________ him to change his mind?

15. FOOD / FOOT

1. There was a lot of ________ at the party.
2. Are you going by bicycle or on ________?
3. Thank you for your suggestion - it gave us a lot of ________ for thought.
4. They built a house at the ________ of a cliff.

16. HEAR / LISTEN

1. Be careful- I've ________ a number of strange things about them.
2. I told him about it, but he never ________ to me.
3. OK, this is important, so please ________ carefully.
4. She was talking very quietly; did you _________ what she just said?

17. HE’S / HIS

1. _______ got some money but not much.
2. The thief lift _______ fingerprints on the glass.
3. _______ fellow colleagues could no longer put up with these lies of _______.
4. _______ a dentist. And _______ wife is a doctor.

18. HEAL / HEEL / HE’LL

1. If he goes to the doctor, _______ quickly _______.
2. A broken heart takes a long time to _______.
3. She turned on her _______ and went back to her room.
4. _______ have to stay in the hospital for a bit longer to let his _______  _______.

19. HEAR / HERE

1. _______ me out and then tell me what you think of the plan.
2. I can’t _______ the music _______. Can you turn it up, please?
3. There were a few books _______ and there, but apart from that the room was quite bare.
4. Come over _______ so that you can _______ what I have to say.

20. HOLE / WHOLE

1. She ate the ________ donut, ________ and all.
2. I need it like a ________ in the head.
3. There’s a ________ in my bucket. That’s why it isn’t ________.
4. I was sick yesterday. But now I feel a ________ lot better.

21. HOUR / OUR

1. My plumber charges £20 an _______.
2. They met _______ principal. _______ principal spoke to them for an _______.
3. We went to a picnic. We all took _______ lunch boxes with us.
4. It took us an _______ to get back to _______ home.

22. KNOW / NOW / NO

1. You should _______ by _______ how to make a cake.
2. I’ve got _______ money and _______ problems.
3. _______ you’re here I will show you.
4. The parents didn’t _______ why their toddler kept saying “_______” to everything.

23. MAJOR / MAYOR

1. His father was a __________ in the Scots Guard.
2. He became the first directly elected __________ of London in 2001.
3. Citrus fruits are a __________ source of vitamin C.
4. What is your __________, English or French?

24. MAY BE / MAYBE

1. He ________ forty, but he is acting like a child.
2. Where is Julie? I don’t know. ________ she’s in the dining room.
3. This ________ the last match that he plays for Barcelona.
4. I think ________ I ought to go round there and apologize for what I said.

25. NECESSARY / NECESSITY

1. Just do what’s ______________ and then leave.
2. You can come early if you want, but there’s no ______________.
3. We brought only the bare ______________ with us.
4. Was it really ______________ for you to say that?

26. OTHER / OTHERS / THE OTHER / ANOTHER

1. We don’t need those books, we need _________ ones.
2. The investigation will take _________ two weeks.
3. Some children learn quickly but _________ children need more time.
4. Please give me _________ chance. I promise to try harder.
5. 80% of the students arrive on time. The _________ are always late.
6. You’ve already had an ice-cream. You can’t have _________ one.

27. PLAIN / PLANE

1. Look, the ________ is flying over the ________.
2. His work is on a complete different ________ of other writers.
3. The economic cabin of the ________ looked ________.
4. It’s quite ________ that they don’t want to speak to us.

28. READ / RED

1. I ________ in the advertisement that the ________ shoes I wanted were on sale.
2. ________ is the first colour of the rainbow.
3. The boy enjoyed the book he ________ that had a ________ cover.
4. She ________ his lips across the busy conference hall - “Time to go.”

29. RECEIPT / RECIPE

1. If you’ve got your _________, you can usually exchange the goods.
2. You need a can of tuna for this _________.
3. Goods will be delivered on _________ of payment.
4. For real South Asian food, just follow these _________.

30. RIGHT / WRITE

1. The journalist decided that it was the ________ thing to ________ and publish the article.
2. The exam wasn’t difficult. I’ve got the most answers ________.
3. You’re ________. I should ________ the last chapter differently.
4. I had to ________ down the message on a slip of paper.

31. ROAD / RODE

1. The doctor says she’s on the _______ to recovery.
2. Some of the travellers walker in the _______ and some _______ by bike.
3. After two days on the _______, they reached the coast.
4. She _______ to the airport by taxi and asked the taxi driver to take the fastest _______.
5. Last week it was the first time I _______ a horse.

32. SENSE / SENSES

1. That’s a silly comment! Have you lost your _________ ?
2. The words you’ve written don’t make _________.
3. It’s difficult to understand the _________ of that sentence.
4. It’s about time you came to your _________ and began to behave reasonably.
5. He has a good _________ of humour.

33. SPEAK / TALK

1. She _________ several languages.
2. He has been _________ about the new film for over an hour.
3. There's a serious problem- I think we should _________.
4. He had a sore throat, so he was unable to _________.

34. SUIT / SUITE / SWEET

1. The city lifestyle seems to ________ her - she looks great.
2. We’re having a new bathroom ________ fitted at the weekend.
3. It was really ________ of the hotel to upgrade the married couple to the honeymoon ________ for free.
4. I won’t buy this ________. I don’t like the colour. All right, ________ yourself!
5. She was enjoying the ________ smell of success.

35. THEIRS / THERE’S

1. I think she’s a relation of __________.
2. __________ a time and a place for everything.
3. That’s not my friends’ house. __________ has got a red front door.
4. __________ never been such an exciting election as this.

36. THREW / THROUGH

1. He _________ the baseball right _________ his neighbour’s front window.
2. Peter went _________ a lot of pain after the accident.
3. I didn’t have much time, so I quickly _________ a meal together.
4. My sweater is _________ at the elbows.

37. WAIST / WASTE

1. His _________ continued to grow and grow, but no food was allowed to _______ I his house.
2. It’s not worth while. I don’t _______ breath on that!
3. She worries too much about her _______ line.
4. Reading English is not a _______ of time.

38. WANDER / WONDER

1. I don’t __________ she burst into tears after the way you spoke to her.
2. Halfway through the meeting, my mind started to __________.
3. My aunt says that eating an apple every day can do __________ for your health.
4. I lost my cat. I __________ where it is now. Probably __________ing the streets.

39. WERE / WHERE / WE’RE

1. _________ are we now? _________ on Maple Street.
2. We _________ too tired to go out yesterday. But today _________ going to the cinema.
3. I’ve left my keys some_________ and I don’t know _________.
4. We _________ lucky. We won the first prize.

40. WHICH / WITCH

1. _________ of these painting do you like best?
2. Dorothy didn’t know _________ direction to go in order to get to the good _________.
3. Trees of _________ the leaves are bright green are often leafless in winter.
4. I don’t believe a _________ doctor can cure people using magic.

Key

Confusing words - part 3

Contents

1.        ABILITY / CAPACITY        3

2.        ADAPT / ADOPT        3

3.        ALLOWED / ALOUD        3

4.        AMUSE / ENJOY / ENTERTAIN        3

5.        APPRECIABLE / APPRECIATIVE        3

6.        BACK / BACKSIDE        3

7.        BEAN / BEEN / BIN        3

8.        BOAR / BORE        4

9.        CANCEL / DELAY / PUT OFF        4

10.        CELL / SELL        4

11.        CHOICE / CHOSE / CHOOSE        4

12.        COMFORTABLE / CONVENIENT        4

13.        CONFIDANT / CONFIDENT        4

14.        COUNTY / COUNTRY        5

15.        DECENT / DESCEND / DESCENT / DISSENT        5

16.        DEVICE / DEVISE        5

17.        EARN / GAIN / WIN        5

18.        EMIGRATE / IMMIGRATE        5

19.        EXPERIENCE / EXPERIMENT        5

20.        FARTHER / FURTHER        6

21.        FLEA / FLEE        6

22.        HAIR / HARE        6

23.        HISTORIC / HISTORICAL        6

24.        IMPLY / INFER        6

25.        INTO / ONTO        6

26.        KNEW / NEW        6

27.        LICENCE / LICENSE        6

28.        MASTERFUL / MASTERLY        7

29.        MORALE / MORALS        7

30.        OF COURSE / OFF COURSE        7

31.        OPPORTUNITY / OPTION / POSSIBILITY        7

32.        PEAK / PEEK        7

33.        PRACTICABLE / PRACTICAL        7

34.        PRINCIPAL / PRINCIPLE        7

35.        REGRETFUL / REGRETTABLE        8

36.        SAIL / SALE        8

37.        SENSIBLE / SENSITIVE        8

38.        SOME TIME / SOMETIME        8

39.        TESTAMENT / TESTIMONY        8

40.        WEAK / WEEK        8

Choose the correct word from the following pairs:

1. ABILITY / CAPACITY

1. The health center serves all patients, regardless of their __________ to pay.
2. He has a great __________ for remembering facts.
3. It takes hard work and natural __________ to make it as a professional athlete.
4. With her speaking skills, she has the __________ to fill the auditorium to its __________.

2. ADAPT / ADOPT

1. We had to __________ our plans to fit Jack’s timetable.
2. I think it’s time to __________ a different strategy in my dealings with him.
3. There is no English equivalent for ‘bon appetit’ so we have __________ the French expression.
4. It took me a while to __________ to the new job.

3. ALLOWED / ALOUD

1. He read her letter __________ to the rest of the family.
2. She  __________ that she might have been too suspicious.
3. “What did you say?” “Oh, nothing, I was just thinking  __________.”
4. You’re not  __________ to talk during the exam.

4. AMUSE / ENJOY / ENTERTAIN

1. I want to travel because I ______________ meeting people and seeing new places.
2. We ______________ ourselves by watching the passers-by. (s. past)
3. I’ve brought an article from yesterday’s paper that I thought might ______________ you.
4. We hired a magician to ______________ the children.
5. Time passes quickly when you’re ______________ yourself.
6. The crowd was ______________ with a display of aerobatics.

5. APPRECIABLE / APPRECIATIVE

1. There was an _______________ drop in temperature last night.
2. It’s nice to have an _______________ audience.
3. My little donation will not make an _______________ difference.
4. I’m very _______________ of all the support you’ve given me.

6. BACK / BACKSIDE

1. Do not write anything on the ___________ of your answer book.
2. He jotted her name down on the ___________ of an envelope.
3. After cycling for the whole day, my ___________ was very sore.
4. She lay on the grass and the stiff dry grass prickled the ___________ of her legs.

7. BEAN / BEEN / BIN

1. She had _______ craving a _______ burrito all week.
2. Shall I _______ these old shoes?
3. She doesn’t have a _______, but she’s set on marrying him..
4. These plastic cups has _______ used - please throw them in the _______.

8. BOAR / BORE

1. He used a drill to _______ a hole in the wall.
2. Do they also serve wild _______ meat in that restaurant?
3. A dead _______ has been found on the side of the road.
4. When his wife _______ him a child he could not hide his delight.

9. CANCEL / DELAY / PUT OFF

1. Can we ____________ the meeting until tomorrow, please? I’m very busy today.
2. The original orders were ____________ and I was given fresh instructions.
3. The plane was ____________ by an hour due to a blizzard.
4. The concert has been ____________ owing to lack of support.
5. We are ____________ our trip until January because of the hurricane.
6. The coach was ____________ for about five hours.

10. CELL / SELL

1. He was desperate for some money, so he decided to ________ his ________ phone.
2. In an interview, you have to ________ yourself to the employer.
3. My brother is in a prison ________ now because he always tries to ________ stolen goods.
4. All living things are made up of ________.

11. CHOICE / CHOSE / CHOOSE

1. John had to make a _________ last week. He _________ to stay at home instead of going to Barcelona. Everyone said his _________ was a good one.
2. You need to _________ a colour of paint for the walls.
3. I had the most expensive dish on the menu - a _________ fillet of fish.
4. Katie _________ to stay away from work that day.
5. There’s not much to _________ between the two methods.

12. COMFORTABLE / CONVENIENT

1. I’m not ______________ with the idea of leaving her on her own.
2. My new flat is just around the corner from my office, which is very ______________.
3. I find it ______________ to be able to do my banking online.
4. Are you ______________ or shall I turn the heat down?

13. CONFIDANT / CONFIDENT

1. Are you _____________ that enough people will attend the event?
2. She is a _____________ and practised speaker who always impresses her audience.
3. My mother has always been my _____________. I can talk to her about everything.
4. Colonel House was a friend and _____________ of President Woodrow Wilson.

14. COUNTY / COUNTRY

1. Scandinavia consists of four ____________: Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
2. A ____________ usually consists of several tows and the rural areas that surround them.
3. It’s often quicker to travel across ____________ and avoid the major roads completely.
4. He is living now in his mother’s home ____________ of Oxfordshire.

15. DECENT / DESCEND / DESCENT / DISSENT

1. She ____________ the sweeping staircase into the crowd of photographers and journalists. (s.past)
2. All I need is a roof over my head and a ____________ meal.
3. We weren’t prepared for the ____________ of thousands of journalists on the town.
4. Anyone wishing to ____________ from the motion should now raise their hand.
5. Sam was a ____________ man. Everyone liked how kind he was.
6. Last year John made a ____________ from Mount Kilimanjaro. When he got home there was much ____________ from the university students about air pollution.

16. DEVICE / DEVISE

1. The cartoon characters Snoopy and Charlie Brown were __________ by Charles M. Schultz.
2. We have a __________ that switches the lights on at a preset time in the evening.
3. The umbrella was ingeniously __________ to fold up into your pocket.
4. A trademark can be a powerful marketing __________.

17. EARN / GAIN / WIN

1. I’ve _________ five pounds since I stopped exercising.
2. How much do you _________, if you don’t mind me asking?
3. What do you hope to _________ from the course?
4. He _________ the award for best actor, and deservedly so.
5. It’s been a tough six months and I feel I’ve _________ a few weeks off.
6. She would do anything to _________ his love.

18. EMIGRATE / IMMIGRATE

1. Millions of Germans _____________ from Europe to America in the 19th century.
2. He _____________ with his parents in 1895 and grew up on Long Island.
3. New Zealanders who _____________ to Australia raise the IQ of both countries.
4. People say there’s no quality of life in Russia, and everyone wants to _____________.

19. EXPERIENCE / EXPERIMENT

1. His ______________ in Germany were rather depressing.
2. They did a number of ______________ last week.
3. I'm afraid I don't have much sales ______________.
4. Don't worry it's just an ______________. I'm not going to keep my beard.

20. FARTHER / FURTHER

1. For __________ information, please ring 075-6720290.
2. The __________ I go, the more I miss my home.
3. He could see a small boat on the __________ shore.
4. Before you look at your programme, let me explain a little __________.

21. FLEA / FLEE

1. They saw a _______ on the bed so they decided to _______ the motel room.
2. We’d _______ if there were anywhere to _______ to.
3. Every year thousands of people _______ the big cities in search of the rural idyll.
4. Go the a _______ market and haggle.

22. HAIR / HARE

1. A _______ is larger than a rabbit. It has longer ears and legs.
2. My flatmate has been getting in my _______ a lot recently.
3. This woman was dancing in the road and singing very loudly - I thought she was mad as a March _______.
4. He had lost his _______ by the time he was 30.

23. HISTORIC / HISTORICAL

1. Is it a _____________ fact that Washington slept in this house?
2. Many important _____________ documents were destroyed when the library was bombed.
3. She’s an avid reader of _____________ novels.
4. Modernizing _____________ buildings can often do more harm than good.

24. IMPLY / INFER

1. I ___________ from her expression that she wanted to leave.
2. I’m not ___________ anything about your cooking, but could we eat out tonight?
3. What can be ___________ from the Minister’s remarks?
4. The speaker or writer ___________ something, and the listener or reader ___________ it.

25. INTO / ONTO

1. She is putting the cups _______ the tray.
2. She puts a capsule _______ the coffee machine.
3. The child jumped _______ his bike and left.
4. Mike dove off the bridge _______ the river.

26. KNEW / NEW

1. Maria _______ that Nelson’s car wasn’t _______.
2. She’s _______ to the job so you can’t expect her to know everything yet.
3. She _______ that the _______ movie was due to come out this weekend.
4. Tom was a good musician. He _______ how to play classical guitar music.

27. LICENCE / LICENSE

1. This restaurant is ___________ to sell alcohol.
2. As parents they allowed their children very little ___________.
3. He was copped for driving without a ___________ last week.
4. Edward didn’t have a fishing ___________ - the council had decided not to ___________ anyone new this year to conserve stocks.

28. MASTERFUL / MASTERLY

1. By your ____________ speech I can tell you are an expert on teaching students.
2. He has a deep, ____________ voice.
3. She gave a ____________ performance as Kate in ‘The Taming of the Shrew’.
4. Once she became a prosecutor, she quickly established herself as a ____________ trial lawyer.

29. MORAL / MORALE

1. A couple of victories would improve the team’s _________ enormously.
2. It’s her _________ obligation to tell the police what she knows.
3. How on earth can you say that? Do you have no _________ values?
4. There have been a lot of job losses recently so _________ is fairly low.

30. OF COURSE / OFF COURSE

1. The Second World War ended, _____________, in 1945.
2. The ship is _____________ and may strike the reef!
3. “Where did you get the money? Did you steal it?” “_____________ not. My mother gave it to me.”
4. The project is _____________ and won’t be finished on time.

31. OPPORTUNITY / OPTION / POSSIBILITY

1. I was never given the ______________ of going to college.
2. The best ______________ would be to cancel the trip altogether.
3. This walk provides the ______________ of seeing some beautiful countryside.
4. Is there any ______________ that you could pick me up from the station?
5. They didn’t leave him much ______________ - either he paid or they’d beat him up.
6. It’s not likely to happen but I wouldn’t rule out the ______________.

32. PEAK / PEEK

1. If I’m passing by I might take a _______ at the new premises.
2. He seems to have reached the _______ of his tennis career.
3. Close your eyes. Don’t _______. I’ve got a surprise for you.
4. Don’t go there in the _______ season - it’ll be hot and crowded.

33. PRACTICABLE / PRACTICAL

1. She is ______________ and buys only what she can afford.
2. The troops will be brought home as soon as ______________.
3. It’s simply not ______________ to divide the work between so many people.
4. It is not ______________ to complete the tunnel before the end of the year.
5. I tend to wear clothes that are ______________ rather than fashionable.

34. PRINCIPAL / PRINCIPLE

1. He refused to give me any more money as a matter of _____________.
2. Schools try to teach children a set of _____________.
3. A small school with just three teachers and the _____________ is just what we need.
4. He can’t give up teaching, it’s his _____________ source of income.

35. REGRETFUL / REGRETTABLE

1. It is most ______________ that Mr Johnson has decided to resign.
2. I’m ______________ that our relation ended this way.
3. Your choice of friends is most ______________.
4. We are not ______________ about leaving this town.

36. SAIL / SALE

1. After ten house under _______, they reached dry land.
2. The building company gets commission on each house _______.
3. The yacht’s owner couldn’t afford to replace its _______, so he had to put it on _______.
4. You can’t expect to just _______ through without doing any work.

37. SENSIBLE / SENSITIVE

1. I am very ____________ to cold. I prefer warm temperatures.
2. Of course what you say is right. Any ____________ person would agree with you.
3. This seems to be a ____________ way of dealing with the problem.
4. Her reply showed that she was very ____________ to criticism.

38. SOME TIME / SOMETIME

1. We really should meet ____________ soon to discuss the details.
2. I don’t know when I’ll do it - but I will do it  ____________.
3. I knew I had met her  ____________, but I couldn’t remember when.
4. They went out together for  ____________.

39. TESTAMENT / TESTIMONY

1. Some doubts have been expressed about his ____________.
2. The detail of her wildlife paintings is a ____________ to her powers of observation.
3. The reports are ____________ to the many hours of research completed by this committee.
4. This article will give clear instructions for making a last will and ____________.

40. WEAK / WEEK

1. We’re usually too tired to go out during the _______.
2. He was a _______ king surrounded by corrupt advisers.
3. The athlete had been training so hard, she felt _______ by the end of the _______.
4. He gave the _______est of excuses when asked why he was late.

Key

Confusing words - part 4

Contents

1.        ABUSE / MISUSE        2

2.        ADVERSE / AVERSE        2

3.        ALLOW / LET        2

4.        ANCESTOR / DESCENDANT / PREDECESSOR        2

5.        ASSURE / ENSURE / INSURE        2

6.        BAKE / FRY        2

7.        BERTH / BIRTH        3

8.        BORN / BORNE        3

9.        CANVAS / CANVASS        3

10.        CENT / SCENT / SENT        3

11.        CITE / SIGHT / SITE        3

12.        COMIC / COMICAL        3

13.        CONSIDER / REGARD AS        4

14.        CREDIBLE / CREDULOUS        4

15.        DEFECTIVE / DEFICIENT        4

16.        DISCOVER / INVENT        4

17.        EATABLE / EDIBLE        4

18.        EMINENT / IMMINENT        4

19.        EXTEND /EXTENT / EXTANT        4

20.        FELL / FELT        5

21.        FLOUR / FLOWER        5

22.        HAPPY / LUCKY        5

23.        HOMEWORK / HOUSEWORK        5

24.        IN TIME / ON TIME        5

25.        INTENSE / INTENSIVE        5

26.        LAST / LATEST / LATTER        5

27.        LIGHT / SLIGHT        6

28.        MEASURE / MEASUREMENT        6

29.        MORNING / MOURNING        6

30.        OFFICIAL / OFFICIOUS        6

31.        OUTBREAK / OUTBURST        6

32.        PERMISSION / PERMIT        6

33.        PRACTICE / PRACTISE        7

34.        PROOF / PROVE        7

35.        RELATION / RELATIONSHIP        7

36.        SCENE / SEEN        7

37.        SEW / SOW        7

38.        SOMETIME / SOMETIMES        7

39.        URBAN / URBANE        8

40.        WEED / WHEAT / WE’D        8

Choose the correct word from the following pairs:

1. ABUSE / MISUSE

1. She is continually ___________ her position by getting other people do things for her.
2. She’s been accused of ___________ federal funds to pay for her son’s private school expenses.
3. This new computer system is completely unnecessary and a ___________ of taxpayers’ money.
4. If you ___________ your body now, you’ll pay the price when you’re older.

2. ADVERSE / AVERSE

1. So far the drug is thought not to have any ___________ effects.
2. He attracted a lot of ___________ publicity with his speech about unmarried mothers.
3. I’m not ___________ to the occasional glass of champagne.
4. Would you be ___________ to having the meeting at your house?

3. ALLOW / LET

1. Why don’t you ________ me go? All my friends are going.
2. I would not ________ a child to have a TV or a computer in their room.
3. We don’t ________ employees use the office telephone for personal calls.
4. How much time do you  ________ yourself to get ready in the morning?

4. ANCESTOR / DESCENDANT / PREDECESSOR

1. Kennedy's ______________ as president was the war hero Dwight Eisenhower.
2. There were portraits of his ______________ on the walls of the room.
3. She is a ______________ of Queen Victoria.
4. He returned to Ireland, where his mother's ______________ lived.
5. We owe it to our ______________ to leave them a clean world to live in.
6. My ______________ worked in this job for twelve years.

5. ASSURE / ENSURE / INSURE

1. Please __________ it will not happen again.
2. I can __________ you the report will be finished tomorrow.
3. Are these paintings __________?
4. The future of their company is __________.
5. The new rules will __________ a higher level of security.
6. We advise you to __________ them for at least one thousand pounds each.

6. BAKE / FRY

1. Shall I _______ you an egg, or would you prefer boiled?
2. Kelly’s mom always used to _______ the best cookies.
3. The cooking instructions say _______ it at 180°C for half an hour.
4. It is healthier to grill or steam your food than to _______ it.

7. BERTH / BIRTH

1. He reserved a ________ on the train because he was travelling overnight.
2. Our neighbours were so happy because of the ________ of their new baby.
3. A ship has applied to leave its ________.
4. These asteroids were formed at the ________ of the solar system.

8. BORN / BORNE

1. Sarah was ________ and brought up in Madrid.
2. He had ________ their insults for years.
3. They say that in China a new baby is ________ every five minutes.
4. She has ________ all her problems with great courage.

9. CANVAS / CANVASS

1. The college students were paid to ____________ shoppers.
2. I never camp because I don’t like sleeping under ____________.
3. Wind and wave power are now being seriously ____________ as the solution to our energy problem.
4. Tom and Maria like to ____________ people about ____________ tents.

10. CENT / SCENT / SENT

1. Halfway the game, the team could already ________ victory.
2. It turns out his paintings aren’t worth a red ________.
3. The hounds had lost the ________ of the fox near the river.
4. She ________ her granddaughter her favourite pop star’s new ________ for her birthday.
5. I ________ the ________ back and it cost me 95 ________.

11. CITE / SIGHT / SITE

1. The web developer designed a ________ that could test your ________ to see if you were colour blind.
2. When Sasha was doing an essay she had to ________ several writers.
3. My mother had to go to the eye doctor because her ________ was getting blurry. She went to the ________ where the doctor’s office was located to have her ________ tested.
4. We chose a large, lever ________ for our tent.
5. Scientists ________ this experiment as their main support for this theory.
6. I’m worried that we’re losing ________ of our original objectives.

12. COMIC / COMICAL

1. His speech was so bad it was almost __________.
2. My son wants to be a  __________ when he grows up.
3. Watching the police try to enforce traffic rules in Delhi is  __________.
4. My sister collects rare  __________.
5. Of all the writers of  __________ opera, Gilbert and Sullivan are my favourites.

13. CONSIDER / REGARD AS

1. ______________ yourself lucky that I didn’t mention it to the boss!
2. He rarely used taxis, which he ______________ extravagant.
3. We don't ______________ her suitable for the job.
4. Kubrick was widely ______________ one of the most influential post-war film directors.

14. CREDIBLE / CREDULOUS

1. ____________ women bought the mandrake root to promote conception.
2. They haven’t produced any ____________ evidence for convicting him.
3. The story of what had happened to her was barely ____________.
4. My brother is ____________ enough to believe anything you tell him.

15. DEFECTIVE / DEFICIENT

1. The majority of tinned food is ____________ in vitamins.
2. Although my father has ____________ hearing, he still refuses to wear a hearing-aid.
3. His theory is ____________ in several respects.
4. Retailers can return ____________ merchandise.

16. DISCOVER / INVENT

1. Was it Graham Bell who _____________ the telephone?
2. Was it Christophorus Columbus who _____________ America?
3. She _____________ that her husband was having an affair.
4. He has _____________ a wholly factitious story about his past.

17. EATABLE / EDIBLE

1. Only leaves of the plant are __________.
2. My friend is not good at cooking but it is __________.
3. Are this mushrooms __________?
4. Raw meat is __________ but yet not __________ until it has been cooked.

18. EMINENT / IMMINENT

1. Only the most ___________ scientists win the Nobel Prize.
2. For a man in ___________ danger of losing his job, he appeared quite unruffled.
3. He handled the situation with ___________ skill.
4. He gave a dire warning that an earthquake was ___________.

19. EXTEND /EXTENT / EXTANT

1. The path __________ beyond the end of the road.
2. We have some __________ parish records from the 16th century.
3. We don’t yet know the __________ of his injuries.
4. We’re planning to __________ our publishing of children’s books.
5. The full __________ of the damage only became evident the following morning.

20. FELL / FELT

1. He _______ the side of the kettle to see if it was still hot.
2. He always _______ himself inferior to his brothers.
3. When the teacher walked in, the children’s voices _______ to a whisper.
4. I _______ down the stairs and injured my back.
5. He was so rude I _______ like slapping his face.
6. The audience was still laughing as the curtain _______.

21. FLOUR / FLOWER

1. They’ve got some beautiful _________ beds in their garden.
2. She saw some _________ and a _________ on the floor.
3. When does this plant _________?
4. Grease and _________ the tins thoroughly.

22. HAPPY / LUCKY

1. When I heard that I’d been given the job, I felt very ________.
2. The ________ winner will be able to choose from three different holidays.
3. We hadn’t planned to be in France at the same time as Ann and Tom - it was just a ________ coincidence.
4. They’re ________ to have such a nice office to work in.

23. HOMEWORK / HOUSEWORK

1. A lot of students in the UK get too much ____________.
2. I never seem to have enough time to do the ____________. There’s always something that needs dusting or polishing.
3. I do all the ____________ while he just does the dishes now and again.
4. You can’t watch TV until you’ve done your ____________.

24. IN TIME / ON TIME

1. The bus was late this morning but it is usually _____ time.
2. The ambulance got the hospital just _____ time to save his life.
3. Why are you never _____ time? You always keep everybody waiting.
4. I got home just _____ time - it’s starting to rain.

25. INTENSE / INTENSIVE

1. The course compresses two year’s training into six ____________ months.
2. ____________ bombing had reduced the city to rubble.
3. She was a very ____________ person, who seemed to care deeply about everyone.
4. No, I was not always so disciplined or serious, ____________ or passionate, but now I am.

26. LAST / LATEST / LATTER

1. You can go there either by plane or train. The _________ costs less.
2. The next meeting will be held in the _________ week in June.
3. His _________ film is one of the funniest he's ever made.
4. The _________ version of their graphics package was handed out today.
5. Total profit was £550 million in the _________ half of 2003.
6. I swear this is the _________ cigarette I will ever smoke.

27. LIGHT / SLIGHT

1. Like most long-distance runners she is very __________.
2. He’s a few pounds __________ than he used to be.
3. She’s got a headache and a __________ fever.
4. How do you get your cakes so wonderfully __________, Sarah?

28. MEASURE / MEASUREMENT

1. Which _______________ should I take first - the width or the length of the room?
2. There was a large _______________ of agreement between the candidates.
3. What _______________ do they use for diamonds?
4. The machine makes thousands of _______________ every day.
5. These _______________ were designed to improve car safety.

29. MORNING / MOURNING

1. Indeed, many people do not put on ___________ at all, save for very near relatives.
2. Shops were closed as a sign of ___________ for the king.
3. The murder took place at four in the ___________.
4. The family were still in ___________ the ___________ after the funeral.

30. OFFICIAL / OFFICIOUS

1. Yesterday I received an ____________ letter concerning my income tax.
2. He is an ____________ little man and widely disliked in the company.
3. Number Ten Downing Street is het British prime minister’s ____________ residence.
4. Bustling about self-importantly he was making an ____________ nuisance of himself.

31. OUTBREAK / OUTBURST

1. Last month there was an ___________ of the bird flu.
2. Her comments provoked an ___________ of anger from the boss.
3. Forgive my ___________ last week.
4. On the ___________ of war he expected to be called up.

32. PERMISSION / PERMIT

1. You need to have a work _____________ before you can work.
2. Could I have your _____________ to leave work early on Friday?
3. I have a parking _____________ which allows me to park on the street outside my house.
4. We applied for _____________ to build a house here but our application was refused.

33. PRACTICE / PRACTISE

1. I'm quite good at tennis but I need to ____________ my serve.
2. It seemed like a good idea before we started, but in ____________ it was a disaster.
3. ____________ putting your tent up in the garden several times.
4. Don’t worry if you can’t manage it first time. It’ll come with ____________.
5. You’ll have to turn up for all the ____________ if you want to play in the concert.

34. PROOF / PROVE

1. Do they have any ________ that it was Hampson who stole the goods.
2. I wish he’d stop trying to ________ himself all the time.
3. It will be very difficult to ________ that they are guilty.
4. I anyone needs ________ of Andrew Darres’ genius as a writer, this novel is it.

35. RELATION / RELATIONSHIP

1. Studies show that there is a strong _______________ between income and mental health.
2. _______________ between China and the United States are tense at the moment.
3. How is your _______________ with your father?
4. All our friends and _______________ came to our wedding.

36. SCENE / SEEN

1. There was a terrible ________ and Jayne ended up in tears.
2. I haven’t ________ Jerry around in the last few weeks.
3. The movie’s final ________ was something that had to be ________ to be believed.
4. The car had been abandoned two kilometres away from the ________ of the robbery.

37. SEW / SOW

1. The weather was so cold that the farmer decided to wait to _______ the seeds.
2. I’ll have to _______ a patch onto these jeans - they’re ripped at the knee.
3. Now that you’ve _______ doubt in my mind, I’ll never be sure I can trust him.
4. A nurse will come and _______ up that wound for you soon.

38. SOMETIME / SOMETIMES

1. We usually played football at school, but ____________ we played hockey.
2. I knew I had met her ____________, but I couldn’t remember when.
3. Why don’t you come over and have dinner with us ____________?
4. I ____________ wonder whether I should give up my job and just travel.

39. URBAN / URBANE

1. Do you enjoy _________ life, or would you prefer to live in the country?
2. Herschel was an _________, kindly, and generous man.
3. In conversation, he was suave and _________.
4. The speed limit is strictly enforced on _________ roads.

40. WEED / WHEAT / WE’D

1. ________ have done it much better.
2. If he eats anything with ________ in it he’s very sick.
3. He looks like a real ________ in those shorts.
4. “________ better make sure that we dig up every ________” said one gardener to the other.
5. He is keen to ________ out any applicants whom he believes to be frauds.
6. Many ________ farmers have begun to diversify other forms of agriculture.

Key