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Words Easily Confused

Crafted by Trivia Architect thejazzkickazz

Fun Trivia : Quizzes : Vocabulary : Words Easily Confused

Introduction:
"The English language contains a number of words that sound so similar they are confused very easily. In large part, these are homophones, but this is not always the case. Please partake in this quiz as we sample some of these awkward cases. Good luck!"


1. Two words that may easily be confused based on their close spellings are 'ingenious' and 'ingenuous'. The word 'ingenious' is an adjective meaning 'clever' or 'inventive'. Which of the following is the closest in definition to the word 'ingenuous'?
    Naive
    Hard working
    Intellectual
    Sophisticated


2. The words 'complaisant' and 'complacent' are often confused in both writing and speaking. The word 'complacent' refers to 'a smug sense of self satisfaction', but what is the proper definition for its homophone 'complaisant'?
    Peaceful in attitude and demeanor
    Easily willing to please others
    Indifferent to the troubles and difficulties of others
    An unhappy sense of disquietude


3. One of the most common errors I encounter in both printed and spoken English is a confusion between the words 'flout' and 'flaunt'. Which of the two words, if either, means to 'openly disregard' something?
    Flaunt
    Neither
    Both
    Flout


4. The words 'compliment' and 'complement' are homophones, and to make matters worse, their spellings are only separated by a single letter. Compliment is the more commonly used word, meaning 'an expression of praise' in noun form, and the provision of such praise as a verb. Complement is a less common, but equally useful term. Which of these words is a synonym of complement?
    Addition
    Illness
    Debasement
    Distraction


5. In this question, I'm thinking about two words that often get confused in their verb form. One of these words means 'to fail', while the other means 'to struggle'. The name of which of these fish fits the latter definition?
    Bleak
    Wrasse
    Pike
    Flounder


6. Another example of confusion based on pronunciation is that which occurs in the use of 'effect' and 'affect'. Which of these words, if either, can be used as a noun meaning 'a result'?
    Effect
    Both
    Affect
    Neither


7. Like some of the examples above, the spellings of the words 'averse' and 'adverse' are separated by the insertion of a single letter. Both are adjectives, adverse meaning 'harmful'. Which of these would be a proper antonym for the word averse?
    Irritated
    Inarticulate
    Favorable
    Healthy


8. Two words that are confused both by their similar spelling and pronunciation are 'discreet' and 'discrete'. The more commonly used word of the two is discreet, which means 'prudent' or 'unobtrusive'. Which of these definitions best describes its homophone discrete?
    Shy or unassuming
    Individually separate
    Carefully thought out
    Unknown to the public


9. 'Appraise' and 'apprise' are pronounced differently, but this does not prevent them from being confused in speech. Which one of them, if either, has the same meaning as the word 'praise'?
    Appraise
    Both
    Neither
    Apprise


10. 'If we don't play well in the second half, we will loose this game.' Which word in the preceding sentence is used incorrectly?
    Well
    Half
    Loose
    Second


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