Use your dictionary, if necessary, to choose the correct one of each of the 50
troublesome word pairs below. Give yourself 2 points for each correct answer.
These are all common expressions, but they
cause problems even for native-speakers.
1. The Illustrated Library of Natural
Science (comprises, is comprised of) four books
which present (explicit, implicit) information
on a wide variety of subjects.
2. As a possible result of (climactic, climatic) changes, sharks are now occasinally spotted along
northern beaches.
3. The reason I cannot let you (borrow, have the lend of) my history book is (because,
that) I've not yet completed my own homework.
4. Although (both, each)
of the umpires had his own interpretation of the same play, we knew that they were fair
and (disinterested, uninterested).
5. Maria (brought, took) the baseballs to the coach. The team had very (few, little) baseballs on hand.
6. Many loyal British (citizens, subjects) (deprecated,
depreciated) the efforts of the colonists to break away from the mother country.
7. How (any one, either)
of the two boys can get his homework done with all the noise is a real (dilemma, problem).
8. Though Raymond's (character, reputation) was injured by the slanderous statements, those
who knew him best were rightly convinced of his upright (character,
reputation).
9. Although a large (amount, number) of students tried out for the class play Harvey,
a great (deal of, many) candidates had no
previous dramatic training.
10. The doctors had to divide the serum (among, between) their many (clients, patients).
11. Because a great (deal of, many) new facts are constantly turning up, there can never
be a (definite, definitive) history of America.
12. We were (figuratively,
literally) stunned by the (enormity, enormousness)
of the Empire State Building.
13. Because of the wind it was (some time, sometime) before we could get the ropes
reasonably (taunt, taut).
14. When the thieves broke (in, into) my grandmother's house, they had time to (rob, steal) only an inexpensive watch.
15. The Christmas cookies, for which the
corner store is (noted, notorious), are baked
on the (premise, premises).
16. History (learns, teaches) us the facts we need for (perpetrating, perpetuating) our heritage of freedom.
17. Because of your interest in science
fiction, you are (liable, likely) to find
Robert Heinlein's latest book (legible, readable).
18. In his report Claude (implied, inferred) that, despite his troubles, Silas had
led a rich and (full, fulsome) life.
19. (Partaking in, Participating
in) extracurricular activities does not ordinarily (militate, mitigate) against success in scholastic
activities.
20. (Some time, Sometime)
will you (learn, teach) me how to play
Scrabble?
21. We planned to meet (at, in) the camera store (at, in)
Beverly Hills.
22. The school elections gave 531 votes to
Carl Anderson, 426 to Marylou Gould, and 261 to Bill Norris. Carl had a (majority, plurality) of the votes, but he failed to win a (majority, plurality).
23. In describing suits of armor used in the
Middle Ages, Mr. Green commented that men were on the average much shorter (than, then) (than, then) now.
24. One can often (recollect, remember) without trying, but to (recollect, remember) may take some thought.
25. He’s not a very nice person. He uses
his (official, officious) position in an (official,
officious) manner.
26. The doctor (proscribed, prescribed) aspirin and bed-rest for the patient.
SCORING:
90-100: Excellent!
80-888: Very good.
70-78: Not bad.
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