123 Style: Diction: Vocabulary Practice

Stanford University lists using the wrong word as the most common error in writing. Recognizing the subtleties of spelling takes practice. Below are six weeks of vocabulary and spelling practice.

Wow Words Review, Week 1

1.     We can _____ this crisis; you just must stay strong. (Whether vs. weather)

•       Whether: It means you have options. Ex: I don’t care whether you go to Kroger or Tom Thumb.
•       Weather: What is happening outside. Ex: Yuck, I hate hot weather. Bring on fall!
•       Answer: weather. Think about large storms and surviving the chaos that crazy weather can become.

2.     Wal-Mart’s TV commercial invites shoppers to _____ prices at their competitor’s stores. (compare vs. contrast)

•       Compare: It means to look at two or more things and find similarities.
•       Contrast: It means to look at two or more things and find differences.
•       Answer: contrast.
•       Ex: When people see an advertisement on TV for car sales, usually a spokesperson will tell you to “compare prices.” The funny thing is that to “compare” prices means to find similarities; he/she really means to contrast prices, and to see why theirs is cheaper. The public’s understanding of “compare,” in general, is wrong.
•       Note: This word pair is controversial for some people. Some people think it is silly and others think that correctness that still matters. Do what you will with the information.

3.     I did not know how deeply his grandmother’s death had an _____ on him until many years later. (affect vs. effect)

•       This one is confusing for a lot of people, and I have a trick to help you keep it straight.
•       Affect: Substitute the word “influence.” If it works, it is affect.
•       Effect: Substitute the word “result.” If it works, it is effect.
•       Answer: Affect. Think about the lasting influence that the death had on our fictional person. Is it a result done and over with, or are we still feeling its lasting influence? It is still tricky, sometimes, but hopefully that helps.

4.     Eleven is _____ than fifteen. (less vs. fewer)

•       Less: It is not a countable amount; instead, it has to do with something’s wholeness or lack thereof.  Ex: His cruel words made LeighAnne feel like a lesser person.
•      Fewer: It is a countable amount. Ex: Jose has three fewer apples than Annabelle. The express lane sign should read: 15 items or fewer.
•       Answer: fewer.
•       The express lanes at the grocery stores usually have this one wrong.

5.     You gave your money to _____? (who vs. whom)

•       This is another substitution trick.
•       Who: If you can substitute the word “he,” in the sentence, use “who.”
•       Whom: If you can substitute the word “him,” in the sentence, use “him.”
•       Let’s try it both ways: 1) You gave your money to he? That is weird. 2) You gave your money to him? Ah, better.
•       Answer: whom.
•       Here’s an extra tip: If the sentence has “to” “for” “by” “of” or from right before it, the answer is usually “whom.” When you address a letter “to whom it may concern,” you can see it.

6.     ______! I love puppies and kitties. I just want to give them smooches on their cute, fuzzy faces! (Aw vs. Awe)

•       Aw: A reaction to something adorable. Ex: babies, puppies, and kittens
•       Awe: To be overwhelmed with emotion; it is related to the word awesome, or to be in awe over something spectacular. Ex: I was in awe over the size and beauty of the Grand Canyon.
•       Answer: Aw.

7.     Betty has _____ for Dina during this tough period; it forces her to relive her own experiences with divorce. (empathy vs. sympathy)

•       Sympathy: It’s a feeling you have when you are sorry about a person’s negative situation.
•       Empathy: It’s a feeling you have when you are truly feeling sorry for someone’s situation. This version is much deeper than sympathy. Someone who is empathetic is feeling the other person’s negative situation as if he/she is experiencing it for themselves.
•       Answer: empathy.

8.     I am completely _____ of Charles for getting a promotion in a year of budget cuts. I must admit, however, he does work very hard and deserves this reward. (envious vs. jealous)

•       Envious: This is a positive version of wishing someone else’s situation was yours. Ex: I can’t believe that Sandra got tickets to see Hamilton. She is so lucky!
•       Jealous: This is the negative version. Jealousy can be mean, spiteful, or possessive of someone or something. Ex: Ricky’s ex-girlfriend is the jealous type, and she is always driving by his house to see if he is there and who is hanging out with him. She is crazy.
•       Answer: envious.

9.     The restaurant is just a bit _____ down the road, I promise. (farther vs. further)

•       Farther: This has to do with distance. Ex: If you drive farther down this road and turn left, you will find the gas station.
•       Further: This has to do with advancement or the betterment of something. Ex: Connie went to college to further her education.
•       Answer: farther.

10. Carol announced that she was ______ seek revenge on her cousin, leaving us all stunned. (fixing to vs. going to)

•       This question here is about regional sayings. People use the “fixing to” or some version of it in the southern area of the U.S. I am from Nevada originally, and we say things like “you guys” instead of the Texas version of “y’all.” There are two points that I want to make here: 1) know what is correct when you need to speak/write correctly, and 2) know when to turn regional sayings on and off.
•       I won’t tell you to not use “fixing to” even though it is slang, but I hope you know to adapt your speech when it is necessary. When my boss asks me a question, I won’t say “you guys” to him; I will just say “you” because I need to speak formally with him. If you say “fixing to” in your casual speech or writing, fine. It’s not ideal, but it’s fine. When it comes to speaking or writing something that is important, use “going to.”
•       The answer: going to.

Wow Words Review, Week 2

1.     It would have been   _____ honorable achievement, if it were not for the fact that _____ friend did all of my work for me. (a vs. an)

•       A: If the following word has a letter that sounds like a consonant (not necessarily is one), then use “a.”
•       An: If the following word has a letter sound that sounds like a vowel (not necessarily is one), then use “an.”
•       Note: There is an old-school rule that claims the first letter of the following word determines whether someone uses “a” or an “an” in a sentence. The real method, however, is not examining the first letter but listening to the sound of the first letter. Example: I gave a puppy hugs today.  “Puppy” starts with a “P,” which gets the “puh,” or a consonant sound. This sentence is correct. But what about “She has an MBA” that has the “M” sounding like “em?” In this case, the sentence correctly uses the word “an” instead of “a” even though “M” is a consonant.
•       Answer: an, a.

2.     James A. Baker, a political _____, survived a bullet intended for President Reagan in 1980. (aid vs. aide)

•       Aid: Help or assistance.
•       Aide: The human being who provides help or assistance. Ex: Teacher’s aide
•       Answer: aide.

3.     Cindy had to go through ______ during her physical therapy, but I do not think she is quite ready to go surfboarding just yet. (alot vs. a lot vs. allot)

•       Alot: This is a misspelling of the right answer, and it is never correct.
•       A lot: Many.
•       Allot: To set aside money, cookies, or whatever for another purpose.
•       Answer: a lot.

4.     The laboratory team liked the results though they were worried about one particular piece of _____. (data vs. datum)

•       Datum: Singular.
•       Data: Plural.
•       Note: Some people are strict about this, and others are not and use “data” for everything. Regardless, I would rather you be in a place of knowledge on this one.
•       Answer: datum.

5.     The Soviets were the first to send a/n _______ into space. (astronaut vs. cosmonaut)

•       Astronaut: American term.
•       Cosmonaut: Russian term.
•       Note: There is no difference when it comes to the jobs that these people do. The only difference is the culture from which the term comes from.

6.     There is nothing you can say to me that can fix this situation. I am completely _____ in repairing this relationship with you. (disinterested vs. uninterested)

•       Uninterested: To not care about something.
•       Disinterested: To be fair; unbiased; objective. Ex: If you ever had to go to court, you would want to hope for a disinterested judge to ensure that your case was heard fairly.
•       Answer: uninterested.

7.   Samuel’s reputation for fine wine ___________(ed) him, and Tearsa knew exactly what to have waiting for him at the dinner party. (precede vs. proceed)

· Precede: To go before, to be in front of, or to preface something or someone. (Think = pre, which means before)
· Proceed: This is the more common of the two words, which means to go forward, to continue, or to carry on. (Think = pro, which means moving forward.)
· Answer: precede(d)

8.     Our pet, Squiggly, _____, the snail we brought home from the beach, loves to curl up on his little patch of grass. (e.g.,    i.e.,   etc.)

•       e.g.: exempli gratia, or “for example.” Use this when providing an example of something.
•       i.e.: id est, or “in other words.” Use this when clarifying something.
•       etc.: et cetera, or “and other similar things.” Use this when you continue with a list and could add items but won’t.
•       Note: Do not use “etc.” in formal writing. If you run out of things to say, simply end the sentence and skip “etc.” altogether. It is fine for casual writing, however.
•       Answer: i. e.

9.     Sarah could not bear to hear any more _____ jokes. (blond vs. blonde)

•       Blond: Used when referring to men or boys.
•       Blonde: Used when referring to women or girls.
•       Answer: blonde.

10. An estimated 8,000 people die from a ______ snake bite every year in the United States. (poisonous vs. venomous)

•       Note: The trick to knowing the correct answer is a matter of who or what is doing the consumption.
•       Poisonous: The person/animal is consuming the dangerous liquid/object directly. In other words, you swallow the poison.
•       Venomous: A snake/critter is doing the consuming, meaning that they are pushing a dangerous substance into an otherwise healthy person/animal with a bite or sting. In other words, they are taking filling you with the dangerous substance.
•       Answer: venomous.

Wow Words Review, Week 3

1.     If you __________ Jimmy money, be prepared to lose him as a friend (loan, lend).

•       Loan: Noun. Example: you can apply for a loan because it is a thing.
•       Lend: Verb. The bank is lending her money to buy a car because it is an action.
•       Answer: lend.

2.     Winnie couldn’t __________ very well, so we took her to the emergency room last Thursday. (breath, breathe)

•       Breath: Noun. Example: She has bad breath!
•       Breathe: Verb. Example: I could hear her breathe in the darkness.
•       Answer: breathe.
•       Note: I think most people understand the difference between the thing (breath) and the action (breathe), and most errors, I believe, are spelling issues.

3.     “I _______ been a contender,” whispered Marlon Brando, who played Terry, in the classic film On the Waterfront. (Coulda, could of, could have)

•       Coulda: Never correct. If you see it in use, it is either as slang or used to depict an uneducated character.
•       Could of: Never correct. People incorrectly write this when they hear the contraction “could’ve.”
•       Could have: Correct. It is the full form of the contraction “could’ve.”
•       Answer: could have.

4.     By selling the family estate, the brothers were able to raise enough _________ to open their own bakery. (capital vs. capitol)

•       Capital: This has many meanings. 1) An uppercase letter, 2) the seat of government in a state or nation, 3) money, often in terms of invested money.
•       Capitol: This is the building in which a legislative body meets.
•       Note: Here is an example of them both in action. “The legislators are scheduled to meet in Sacramento, the state capital, at the capitol building at 1:00 PM.”
•       Answer: capital.

5.     Silene and her husband are from Brazil and both are considered to be __________. (Hispanic, Latino, Chicano)

•       Hispanic: The term applies to a person who lives in or comes from a Spanish speaking country or whose ancestors came from a Spanish speaking country. The focus here is on the language component and includes Spain.
•       Latino/a: The term refers to a person who lives in or is from a country in Latin America, which is Mexico and everything southward, including Brazil. It does not include Dutch or French-speaking nations, generally, and it also includes the Spanish speaking Caribbean nations. This definition may vary, depending on who you talk to.
•       Chicano: Be careful with this word, as its meaning is in transition. For some people, this is an insult; for others, it is a perfectly acceptable adjective as in “Chicano art” or “Chicano literature.” In essence, this means someone who is born in America but has Latino/a heritage. The insult version of this word is when it becomes a racist or classist slur for working-class people.
•       Answer: This is a tricky one. Silene and her husband are Latino because they come from Brazil, a Latin American nation, but they are not Hispanic because people in Brazil speak Portuguese, not Spanish. The word Hispanic tends to be used as an all-inclusive term, but it is not necessarily correct.

6.     The economy is an important topic in this year’s election, and there are two main areas to the study of economics. First, __(A)____economics refers to the actions of smaller, individual agents within the economy, like households, workers, and businesses; __(B)____economics, however, looks at the economy as a whole, perhaps on a global scale. It focuses on broad issues such as unemployment and inflation. (micro vs. macro)

•       Micro: Small. Think = microscope. A microscope helps you to see something small.
•       Macro: Big.
•       Answer A: micro.
•       Answer B: macro.

7.     I admit it; I was driving too fast in the construction zone. I do not like it, but the ________ I received from the cop was entirely justified. (cite, sight, site)

•       Cite: Short for citation. It means to acknowledge a source used in research, or it can mean a written warning or ticket.
•       Sight: A person’s vision.
•       Site: A location. Example: job site, (web)site, construction site
•       Answer: cite.

8.     I am too tired to go swimming. _________, the water is too cold. (beside vs besides)

•       Beside: Close to or next to.
•       Besides: In addition to or furthermore.
•       Answer: besides.

9.     I refuse to ___________ the crazy idea that he knew nothing about the situation. He is lying! (accept vs. except)

•       Accept: To agree or to receive something offered.
•       Except: To exclude something.
•       Answer: accept.

10. The formula for area is width x __________. (height vs. heigth)

•       Height: Always the correct spelling and punctuation.
•       Heigth: Never correct. People tend to say “width” and carry over the -th sound from this word to say a butchered version of height.
•       Answer: height.

Wow Word Review, Week 4

1.     He has received two letters of ________ from his regional manager, and he became worried about keeping his job. (censor, sensor, censure)

•       Censor: To limit something or someone’s access to something. Think: censorship.
•       Sensor: A device which detects or measures a physical property and either indicates or records it. Example: The gas light sensor in a car that indicates that it is low on gas.
•       Censure: The expression of a formal disapproval. Note that this one has a slightly different pronunciation; it sounds like sen-shure.
•       Answer: censure.

2.     Have a chat with the Dimitri at lunch and see what information you can ______ from him. (elicit vs illicit).

•       Elicit: To evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone.
•       Illicit: Something that is forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
•       Answer: elicit.

3.     I’m a word person, and my husband is a math person. Together, we _________ each other. (compliment vs. complement)

•       Compliment: Notice this version has an “I” in it, and think of it as if you were saying, “I have something nice to say about you.”
•       Complement: This version has an “E” in it, and think of it as making things even, as completing something, or as bringing something to perfection.
•       Answer: complement.

4.     Our dinner will be _________ of turkey, salad, candied yams, pie, and anything else that people want to bring to the potluck. (comprised vs. composed)

•       Note: These two terms are closely related, so look for the differences. Are you focusing on the whole of something or the individual parts that make up the whole? That will determine which one you use.
•       Comprise: Comprise is synonymous with include, contain, consist of, encompass, and be made up of something. The focus here is on the individual components. In other words, it is used when the part comes before the whole.
•       Compose: It means two things: 1) to create something from scratch like a poem, and 2) to consider how the parts come together to make something that is whole. This definition has to do with the totality of something.
•       Answer: comprise. Why? The focus is on the inclusion of items, not the totality of the dinner. It’s a tough one, I know.

5.     The faucet in my bathroom dripped for two __________ months before my husband decided to fix it. (continuous vs. continual)

•       Continuous: It describes an action that happens without ceasing.
•       Continual: It describes an action that recurs frequently or regularly, but it can end and then start back up again.
•       Answer: continuous.

6.     The bugle __________ played “Taps” at the soldier’s funeral. (core, corps, corpse)

•       Core: It means the center part of something; think apple core.
•       Corps: It is a military body that includes two or more divisions, or a military body that performs a specific function; think Marine Corps.
•       Corpse: A corpse is a dead body, usually referring to a human body.
•       Answer: corps.

7.     Michael felt badly about how he treated his cousin. His words weighed heavily on his _________. (conscious, conscience, consciousness)

•       Conscious: It means to being awake or alert. Example: Although Bob’s car flipped three times, he managed to remain conscious through the whole accident. (pronounced con-chuss)
•       Conscience: It refers to a person’s recognition of the difference between right and wrong. Example: My angry words toward Sylvia weighed heavily on my conscience. (pronounced con-chenss)
•       Consciousness: It’s a variation of “conscious” above, and it is the state of being awake and aware. Example: Anna fainted out of fright, but she regained consciousness within seconds. (pronounced con-chuss-ness)
•       Answer: conscience.

8.     My English teacher told me to __________ out my essay, but I did not understand what she meant. (flush out vs. flesh out)

•       Flush out: To force something to leave its hiding place. Example: Allen flushed the birds out of the tree before trimming the branches.
•       Flesh out: To give it more details or substance, or to make it fuller or more nearly complete.
•       Answer: flesh out.

9.     Tina offered her ___________, although Jay didn’t want to hear any of it. (counsel vs. council)

•       Council: A group of people convened for advice or to perform a specific function. Example: Student council.
•       Counsel: It means to give advice or instruction.
•       Answer: counsel.

10.   “What are your _________ for the job, and how can I get hired here?” asked Bryan. (criterion vs. criteria)

•       Criterion: It is the singular form, meaning a requirement or rule upon which something is judged or rates.
•       Criteria: It is the plural form, meaning requirements upon which something is judged or rated.
•       Answer: criteria. (There are probably several requirements for this job, logically speaking.)

Wow Words Review, Week 5

1.     Michael was relieved to go back to an __________ wage after working all those extra unpaid hours at his old job. (hourly vs. salary)

•       Hourly: There are two meanings for hourly here: 1) the rate of pay per hour someone earns, and 2) a statement about the person’s employment and pay structure. To be paid “hourly” means that the employee goes to his/her job, clocks in, works, clocks out, and goes home. Usually, that means the someone works no more than 8 hours in a traditional workday, although there are exceptions. This suggests that the person is free from responsibility once he/she clocks out, although overtime can be offered for additional pay.
•       Salary: Like the hourly entry, salary has the same two definitions—pay rate and structure. To be a salaried employee means that the worker works until all the necessary tasks are completed or at a reasonable stopping point for a set amount of pay. This employee can work a 3-hour or 15-hour day, and the rate of pay remains the same. Salaried employees, however, tend to work longer than shorter days, and do not receive additional pay for additional time worked beyond the traditional 8 hours. Salaried employees tend to earn higher wages in return.
•       Answer: hourly

2.     It is estimated that about 80% of individuals who use ________ first abused prescription opioids. (heroin vs. heroine)

•       Heroin: A highly addictive opium-based drug that can be shot, sniffed, snorted, or smoked that can damage a person’s health or kill a person outright.
•       Heroine: Two definitions: 1) a female hero/superhero, and 2) a chief female character in a book, play, or movie, who is typically identified with good qualities, and with whom the reader is expected to sympathize.
•       Answer: heroin.

3.     I had to go to the bathroom so badly during the final scene that I swore my bladder was going to _______. (bust, burst, become busted)

•       Bust: This term has three definitions: 1) a sculptural portrayal of a person’s head and shoulders, 2) slang term indicating the arresting someone for a crime, or raiding a suspected criminal operation, and 3) a slang term meaning to open something or do something.
•       Burst: This means that something did or is about to explode or break from internal pressure.
•       Become busted: Slang and never right.
•       Answer: burst.

4.     The boat’s navigational system was knocked out during the storm, and the captain had no choice but to shoot a _________ into the sky and issue a mayday call. (flair vs. flare)

•       Flair: A noun referring to a natural ability, an inclination toward something, or an attractive or stylish quality.
•       Flare: Flare has multiple meanings: 1) it is a light that shines brightly and briefly (“the sudden flare of a match”), 2) it is  a very bright light to signal, illuminate, or attract attention, usually involving an emergency, 3) it also designates a place or part that spreads outward, such as the widening bottom of a vase or pair of pants, and 4) Figuratively, the word is commonly applied to sudden emotional outbursts.
•       Answer: flare.

5.     Vincent’s plane had to first stop in London before going onward to Prague. While he had been approved for a ____________ to Prague, he did not realize he’d need one for London, as well. Local authorities had detained him and his whole family for four days while they had to clear them through international security before being allowed onward. (visa vs. passport)

•       Passport: Internationally accepted photo identification that can be used in nations around the globe and is government issued.
•       Visa: Two things: 1) it is written permission to enter a country, and 2) a brand of credit card
•       Answer: visa.

6.     “Listen, Wendy, I didn’t mean to ___________ that you were a liar, even though I can’t prove that you were telling the truth, either.” Tranh said and looked directly into her eyes. (imply vs. infer)

•       Imply: To speak/write. It means to suggest something without fully saying/writing it.
•       Infer: To hear/read. It means to understand something without have something said or written about it using clues.
•       Answer: imply.

7.     Shanda knew that a bar graph would do a better job of visually relaying the data of the different experimental groups than a mere ____________, which would only list numerical figures. (table, chart, figure, and appendix)

•       Table: A grid that reveals strictly numerical data.
•       Chart: A visual depiction of numerical data. Ex: pie chart or bar chart.
•       Figure: An image that conveys non-numerical data like a drawing, map, sketch, photo, illustration, or painting.
•       Appendix: An item in the back of a report, book, or proposal that has important supplemental material. Ex: a glossary or an example questionnaire that is related to the main content but does not necessarily belong in the main section of the text. (It can also be an organ in the body that can be surgically removed, and its function is not yet known.)
•       Answer: table.

8.     Penny is going to the dance with Reynaldo, ____________ of what his cousin Balthazar says about it. (regardless vs. irregardless)

•       Note: To regard someone means to care about him.
•       Regardless: The “-less” on regardless means to not care about someone or something.
•       Irregardless: It’s a double-negative and not correct. The “irr-” prefix means “not,” and the incorrect word “irregardless” means to not, not care about someone or something. Don’t use, ever.
•       Answer: regardless.

9.     Freddie visited the pet cemetery to see Fluffy and to put a fresh bouquet of flowers upon _________ gravesite. (it’s vs. its)

•       It’s: A contraction for the words “it is.” This is the only meaning, and it does not show possession. The apostrophe indicates where letters were removed. When in doubt, substitute the words “it is” into the situation to test it.
•       Its: This shows possession, and it is the only exception to the rule in the entire English language where a possession does not get an apostrophe.
•       Answer: its.

10.   Bubba and Kimiko talked about the final score of last night’s Rangers game, and then she made an ______ to a previous Rangers game a few years ago. I followed the conversation along until that moment, but I had no idea what other game she was referencing. I lost the conversation’s thread after that.  (illusion vs. allusion)

•       Illusion: Something that deceives the mind or senses by creating a false impression of reality but is usually done visually like an optical illusion or a magic trick as an illusion.
•       Allusion: A reference, direct or implied, to something or someone. Allusions are often found in books, songs, TV shows, and movies.
•      Answer: allusion.

Wow Words Review, Week 6

1. “Yee-haw!” Bubba guffawed. “Her eyes are prettier than a ___________ bug on a warm June night.” (lightning vs. lightening)

•  Lightning: It is the electrical discharge that happens during storms and comes down in bolts.
•  Lightening: To change the shade of a color from a darker tone to a lighter one.
•  Answer: lightning.

2. David Koresh was the leader of the Branch Davidian _____________ located in Waco; Koresh, 54 other adults, and 28 children were killed in an FBI siege in 1993. (cult vs. occult)

•  Cult: A religious sect organized around a strong leader and requiring fanatical beliefs. It can also be an adjective.
•  Occult: Refers to the pursuit of magic or secret supernatural knowledge or power.
•  Answer: cult.

3. Joanna just could not push herself any further on her bike; she rested her chin on her handlebar and left foot on the ___________. (peddle, petal, pedal)

•  Peddle: Peddle means to sell.
•  Petal: Petals are the colorful part of a flower.
•  Pedal: A pedal is both a noun and verb. It is the place for the foot on a bike (noun), and it is also the motion needed to propel the bike (verb).
•  Answer: pedal.

4. Tom’s uncle fought in the _______________________ during World War II. (Philippines vs. Filipinos)

•  Philippines: The country.
•  Filipinos: The people.
•  Note: The name “Philippines” derives from that of the 16th-century Spanish king Philip II who invaded the islands and claimed it for Spain. Spanish does not use the “ph” to make the “f” sound, however, so when referring to the people use “f” but “ph” when referring to the nation, which was based on a proper noun. You obviously do not want to change a person’s name, and that’s why the two are different.
• Answer: Philippines.

5. I had no idea that ____________ Pickens was divorced for so long. (Miss, Mrs. Ms., Mx., Mr., Master)

•  Miss: A title of respect for an unmarried woman.
•  Mrs.: A married woman.
•  Ms.: This one is trickier. When you don’t know whether a woman is married, it is safe to use “Ms.,” which sounds like “mizz.” It’s the safe category, and it is used for women who are also divorced or widowed, as well. Lastly, some women prefer not to be titled according to by their marital status and will use this title to avoid the association, and this can include women in same-sex marriages, as well.
• Mx.: This is a relatively new term and is used as a gender-neutral title. It is for people who do not identify as being of a particular gender, or for people who simply don’t want to be identified by gender. It is pronounced as “mix.”
• Mr.: It is a title of respect for a man over the age of 18, regardless of his marital status.
• Master: This is a title for a boy under the age of 18. (It’s old fashioned, but it still exists in literature and film.)
• Answer: Ms.

6. I have never been to New Orleans, but when I go, I would love to visit all the _________bellum homes. (ante- vs. anti-)

• Ante: A prefix meaning “before.”
• Anti: A prefix meaning “against.”
• Note: “Bellum” means war; in this sentence, an antebellum home means a home built before a war. Which war? In this case, it’s the Civil War.
• Answer: ante.

7. Vincent is glad to be __________ of the football team and will do just about anything his coach says to ensure his place on the lineup. (apart vs. a part)

•  Apart: It is the separating of two things, either by time or distance. Sometimes, people will use “apart from” to mean “the exception of” or “besides.”
• A part: A piece of something.
• Answer: a part

8. There is an infected ____________ on Sandra’s nose, and it is leaking puss. Ew! (pore, poor, pour)

• Pore: As a noun, pore means a small opening, especially in an animal or plant (think = pores on your skin). The verb pore means to read or study carefully.
• Poor: It means needy, impoverished, inadequate, or inferior.
• Pour: It means to dispense a drink or other liquid substance.
• Answer: pore.

9. Nancy is not a religious woman, but she believed all that she could do for her son was to _________ for him. (Pray vs. prey)

• Pray: Pray is a verb related to communication with one’s God, usually in the form of prayer.
• Prey: Prey is the object of an attack or hunt.
• Answer: pray.

10. A bar mitzvah is a ___________ of passage celebration for a boy in the Jewish faith, and it marks his transition from a boy to a young man. (right, write, rite)

• Right: As an adjective, right means righteous, correct, or appropriate; as a noun, it is something that is just or legal.
• Write: It means to inscribe or compose. A wright is someone who builds or repairs something.
• Rite: A rite is a ceremonial act. It can anything that contains rituals like a wedding, baptism, graduation, or a funeral.
• Answer: rite.