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Their and there, its and it's, affect and effect — the pairs that cost marks.
Question 1 of 12
Which word correctly completes this sentence? He ___ the ball further than anyone else.
"threw" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the past tense of throw. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Make up a sentence of your own with each word. Using a word is the quickest way to remember which is which.
The answer is B. "threw" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the past tense of throw. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Make up a sentence of your own with each word. Using a word is the quickest way to remember which is which.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? You are taller than me, and ___ younger too.
"you're" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning you are. The apostrophe is doing a job here: it marks the missing letter where two words have been pushed together. Say the two words in full and the sentence still makes sense, which is the test. Say the long version aloud. If "it is" fits, you want "it's"; if it does not, you want "its".
The answer is A. "you're" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning you are. The apostrophe is doing a job here: it marks the missing letter where two words have been pushed together. Say the two words in full and the sentence still makes sense, which is the test. Say the long version aloud. If "it is" fits, you want "it's"; if it does not, you want "its".
Which word correctly completes this sentence? We need to ___ the piano before the concert.
"practise" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning to rehearse, a verb. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. If you are unsure, ask what the word has to do in the sentence: name a thing, show an action, or describe something.
The answer is B. "practise" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning to rehearse, a verb. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. If you are unsure, ask what the word has to do in the sentence: name a thing, show an action, or describe something.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? I would ___ you to start early.
"advise" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning to give guidance, a verb. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Homophones have to be learned as pairs. Learning one without the other leaves you guessing half the time.
The answer is B. "advise" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning to give guidance, a verb. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Homophones have to be learned as pairs. Learning one without the other leaves you guessing half the time.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? She ___ a new bike with her birthday money.
"bought" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the past tense of buy. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. If you are unsure, ask what the word has to do in the sentence: name a thing, show an action, or describe something.
The answer is D. "bought" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the past tense of buy. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. If you are unsure, ask what the word has to do in the sentence: name a thing, show an action, or describe something.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? The path was ___ than it looked from the road.
"steeper" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the comparative. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Read the whole sentence back with your choice in it. These mistakes are far easier to hear than to see.
The answer is B. "steeper" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the comparative. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Read the whole sentence back with your choice in it. These mistakes are far easier to hear than to see.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? The rain had no ___ on the match.
"effect" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning a result, a noun. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Make up a sentence of your own with each word. Using a word is the quickest way to remember which is which.
The answer is A. "effect" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning a result, a noun. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Make up a sentence of your own with each word. Using a word is the quickest way to remember which is which.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? The cat licked ___ paw.
"its" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning belonging to it. There is no apostrophe, because this is possession, not a shortened pair of words. Try saying the two-word version in its place: it does not make sense, so no apostrophe. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
The answer is D. "its" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning belonging to it. There is no apostrophe, because this is possession, not a shortened pair of words. Try saying the two-word version in its place: it does not make sense, so no apostrophe. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? Netball ___ is on Thursdays.
"practice" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the session itself, a noun. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Make up a sentence of your own with each word. Using a word is the quickest way to remember which is which.
The answer is D. "practice" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the session itself, a noun. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Make up a sentence of your own with each word. Using a word is the quickest way to remember which is which.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? We walked along the sea front and onto the ___.
"beach" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning sand by the sea. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. If you are unsure, ask what the word has to do in the sentence: name a thing, show an action, or describe something.
The answer is A. "beach" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning sand by the sea. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. If you are unsure, ask what the word has to do in the sentence: name a thing, show an action, or describe something.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? He ___ his packed lunch from home.
"brought" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the past tense of bring. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Make up a sentence of your own with each word. Using a word is the quickest way to remember which is which.
The answer is A. "brought" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the past tense of bring. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. Make up a sentence of your own with each word. Using a word is the quickest way to remember which is which.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? Have you finished ___ homework yet?
"your" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning belonging to you. There is no apostrophe, because this is possession, not a shortened pair of words. Try saying the two-word version in its place: it does not make sense, so no apostrophe. Say the long version aloud. If "it is" fits, you want "it's"; if it does not, you want "its".
The answer is A. "your" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning belonging to you. There is no apostrophe, because this is possession, not a shortened pair of words. Try saying the two-word version in its place: it does not make sense, so no apostrophe. Say the long version aloud. If "it is" fits, you want "it's"; if it does not, you want "its".
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