Homonyms test
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Homonyms are words that sound the same but have different meanings, for example fair (light skinned) and fair (reasonable). Homophones are a type of homonym that also sound the same and have different meanings, but also have different spellings, for example aloud and allowed.
Many homonyms and homophones are commonly confused in CVs, covering letters and application forms. This seems to be stemming from the use of on-line thesauruses in word-processors, when an applicant will try to replace a short word, with a more impressively sounding longer word, but without quite understanding its precise meaning!
Example questions
Which of the following 2 words means approximately the same as "Listened to"?
- Herd
- Heard
Which of the following 2 words means approximately the same as "Success in an examination"?
- Passed
- Past
The answers are as follows:
- Listened to - the answer is "Heard" as this means approximately the same as "Listened to".
- closed - the answer is "Passed" as this means approximately the same as "Success in an examination".
The test has 55 questions and you will have 7 minutes to do them, so set a timer on your watch or phone if you would like to compare yourself to other people who have taken this test. At the end of the test you will be given a score. In the test you will not be told which words are synonyms and which are antonyms.
IF YOU ARE TAKING THIS TEST ON A MOBILE PHONE PLEASE USE THE VERSION HERE which is adapted for small screens.
When you have finished the test click on "Get Your Score" and then navigate back to this page.
What your score means
This test is for practice only, so you should not regard your result as of importance chiefly because the test was not taken under proper test conditions. Your performance can also be distorted if you have a cold, or have not slept well. International students or those from ethnic minorities may be disadvantaged in this type of test, due to language and cultural differences. If your first language is not English, your score is likely to be lower on such verbal tests than native English speakers. Your degree subject may also change your performance: scientists may do better on mathematical tests and Humanities students on verbal tests.
If you are using a mobile phone or touch screen, you may take longer to complete the test.
Score
- 51 or above. This is an above average score for UK graduates.
- 46 - 50. This is in the average group compared to other UK graduates.
- 45 or below. This is below the typical score for UK graduates.
ANSWERS
There may be several possible definitions for some of words, just one of which is usually given here. For other or more detailed definitions try the Cambridge On-line Dictionary
1) CORRECT ANSWER Course mark; Grade
WRONG ANSWER Grayed: Turned gray
2) CORRECT ANSWER To change: Alter
WRONG ANSWER Altar: Place of worship
3) CORRECT ANSWER Belonging to us: Our
WRONG ANSWER Are: Form of "to be"
4) CORRECT ANSWER Extremely good: Great
WRONG ANSWER Grate: To rub together or fireplace
5) CORRECT ANSWER Classes in a particular subject: Course
WRONG ANSWER Cause: Reason
6) Split: Break
Brake Stopping device
7) To assist: Aid
Aide An assistant
8) Method: Manner
Manor: House of a lord
9) If: Whether
Weather Meteorological events
10) Think again: Review
Revue Series of songs or sketches
11) Past tense of to teach: Taught
Taut Stretched tight
12) Part: Piece
Peace Calm, not war!
13) Being in a place: Presence
Presents Gifts
14) Narrative: Story
Storey Level of a building
15) Not curved: Straight
Strait Waterway
16) Remained : Stayed
Staid Boring
17) Established course of action Precedent
President Commander
18) Uninterested Bored
Board Plank
19) Primary Main
Mane Animal hair
20) School period Lesson
Lessen Decrease
21) The present time Current
Currant Berry
22) Computer instructions Program
Programme Plan of activities
23) Introduction to a book Foreword
Forward Opposite of backward
24) Suitable amount Commensurate
Commiserate Show sympathy
25) Calmness Composure
Composer Writer of music
26) Agree Assent
Ascent Climb
27) Precis Summary
Summery Like Summer
28) To change Affect
Effect Result
29) Ability to wait Patience
Patients Doctor's customers
30) Two parts Dual
Duel Fight between two people
31) Preliminary text Draft
Draught A wind or depth of water
32) Computer position indicator Cursor
Curser Person who swears
33) Sequence Serial
Cereal Food grains
34) Advise Counsel
Council Group of politicians
35) Get support Canvass
Canvas Cloth
36) Money Capital
Capitol US Government Building
37) Combine well with something Complement
Compliment Praise
38) Previously Formerly
Formally Officially
39) An equal Peer
Pier A wharf
40) Pens and paper Stationery
Stationary Not moving
41) Spoken Oral
Aural Of hearing
42) Understanding Insight
Incite Provoke
43) Keeping secret Discreet
Discrete Separate
44) Get information Elicit
Illicit Illegal
45) Basic meaning Literal
Littoral Of the shoreline
46) A rule Principle Principal
School or college head
47) Way between places Route
Rout Make run away
48) Occurring every two years Biennial
Biannual Occurring twice a year
49) Willingness to please Complaisant
Complacent Satisfied with the situation
50) Censur Upbraid
Abrade Rub or scrape
51) Ruffled pride Pique
Peek Look quickly
52) Place There
Their Belonging to them
53) Study carefully Pore
Pour To make flow
54) Inscribe Write
Wright Maker
55) Make a mistake Err
Air What we breath