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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. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
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. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? ___ going to be late if the bus does not come soon.
"They're" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning they 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. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
The answer is B. "They're" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning they 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. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
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. Say the long version aloud. If "it is" fits, you want "it's"; if it does not, you want "its".
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. 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? The shop is open, ___ it closes at four.
"but" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning joining two contrasting parts. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
The answer is B. "but" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning joining two contrasting parts. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
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. Homophones have to be learned as pairs. Learning one without the other leaves you guessing half the time.
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. Homophones have to be learned as pairs. Learning one without the other leaves you guessing half the time.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? Put the kettle on and wait over ___.
"there" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning in that place. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
The answer is C. "there" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning in that place. The other options are real words that sound similar or nearly so, which is exactly why they are here. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
Which word correctly completes this sentence? He gave me some good ___ about revising.
"advice" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning guidance, a noun. 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 D. "advice" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning guidance, a noun. 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? ___ colder outside than the forecast promised.
"It's" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning it is. 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. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
The answer is B. "It's" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning it is. 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. 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. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
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. The apostrophe in a contraction stands for the missing letter, not for possession.
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. Read the whole sentence back with your choice in it. These mistakes are far easier to hear than to see.
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. 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 team played ___ than last week.
"better" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the comparative of good. 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 D. "better" is the one that fits, because the sentence needs the word meaning the comparative of good. 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? 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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