Homophones Homonyms And Homographs

After the long hike, my legs felt really ________. Which word correctly completes the sentence?

• week

• weak

• we'ak

• weke

Answer explanation

The correct word is 'weak', which means lacking strength. Its homophone, 'week', means a period of seven days. The context of a 'long hike' implies physical tiredness.

The word 'bat' is a homonym. Match each sentence to the correct meaning of 'bat'.

• A flying mammal

• A bat flew out of the cave at dusk.

• A piece of sports equipment

• A wooden bat is used to hit a baseball.

• To flutter one's eyelashes

• She didn't even bat an eye at the scary movie.

Answer explanation

This shows how the homonym 'bat', which is spelled and sounds the same, has multiple distinct meanings that are determined by the context of the sentence.

Sort these word pairs into the correct categories: Homophones, Homonyms, or Homographs.

Groups:

(a) Homophones (sound same, spelled different)

,

(b) Homonyms (sound & spelled same)

,

(c) Homographs (spelled same, may sound different)

• right (correct)/right (direction)

• ate/eight

• lead (metal)/lead (to guide)

• see/sea

Answer explanation

Homophones sound alike but are spelled differently ('see'/'sea'). Homonyms are spelled and sound alike ('right'). Homographs are spelled alike but can have different sounds and meanings ('lead').

In which sentence is the word 'desert' pronounced with the stress on the second syllable (de-SERT)?

• The camel walked across the hot, sandy desert.

• Don't desert your friends when they need you.

• The island was a desert, with no people on it.

• My favorite dessert is ice cream.

Answer explanation

When 'desert' is a verb meaning 'to abandon', the stress is on the second syllable (de-SERT). When it's a noun for a dry region, the stress is on the first (DE-sert). 'Dessert' is a homophone.

Choose the sentence that uses the words 'their', 'there', and 'they're' correctly.

• Their going over they're to get there ball.

• They're going over there to get their ball.

• There going over their to get they're ball.

• They're going over their to get there ball.

Answer explanation

'They're' is a contraction for 'they are'. 'There' indicates a place. 'Their' is a possessive pronoun showing ownership. This sentence uses all three correctly.

The word 'object' is a homograph. Match the sentence to the part of speech being used.

• Noun (a physical thing)

• What is that strange object on the table?

• Verb (to express disapproval)

• The main object of the game is to score points.

• Noun (a goal or purpose)

• I object to your unfair accusation!

Answer explanation

'Object' can be a noun (pronounced OB-ject) meaning a thing or a goal, or a verb (pronounced ob-JECT) meaning to protest. The context and implied pronunciation determine its function.

Which pair of words are homonyms?

• flour / flower

• watch (timepiece) / watch (to observe)

• read (present tense) / read (past tense)

• accept / except

Answer explanation

Homonyms are spelled the same and sound the same but have different meanings. 'Flour'/'flower' and 'accept'/'except' are homophones. 'Read'/'read' is a homograph.

Sort these words based on their meaning. The categories are: 'A Piece of Writing/Mail' or 'A Gender'.

Groups:

(a) A Piece of Writing/Mail

,

(b) A Gender

• mail

• boy

• letter

• male

Answer explanation

This question tests the understanding of the homophones 'male' and 'mail' by having students categorize them with related words. 'Mail' and 'letter' relate to post, while 'male' and 'boy' relate to gender.

The new school ________ said that the ________ of the story is to always be kind.

• principal, principle

• principle, principal

• principal, principal

• principle, principle

Answer explanation

The 'principal' is the head of a school. A 'principle' is a fundamental truth or moral rule. These homophones are often confused, and the sentence requires knowing both.

In the sentence, "The drummer had a great bass solo," what does 'bass' mean?

• A type of fish

• The lowest range of musical notes

• A type of stringed instrument

• The foundation of a structure

Answer explanation

The homograph 'bass' (pronounced /beɪs/) refers to low musical notes. Its counterpart, 'bass' (pronounced /bæs/), is a fish. The context of 'drummer' and 'solo' points to the musical meaning.