Homophones Homonyms And Homographs

Which sentence uses the correct word to show possession?

• Its a beautiful day outside!

• The dog wagged its tail excitedly.

• I think its going to rain later.

• Look, its a bald eagle!

Answer explanation

The word 'its' is a possessive pronoun that means 'belonging to it.' The word 'it's' is a contraction for 'it is.' The tail belongs to the dog, so 'its' is correct.

Match each homograph to the sentence that correctly shows one of its meanings.

• A captain should never desert their ship.

• desert (to abandon)

• She will lead the group on the hike.

• lead (to guide)

• Don't forget to wind the clock before you go to bed.

• bow (a weapon)

• He practiced shooting arrows with his bow.

• wind (to turn or coil)

Answer explanation

Each sentence uses the homograph with the specific meaning indicated. 'Lead' (led) means to guide, 'wind' (wined) means to coil, 'bow' (boh) is a weapon, and 'desert' (di-ZURT) means to abandon.

My friend gave me a great compliment. What does compliment mean in this sentence?

• Something that completes or makes something else perfect.

• A polite expression of praise or admiration.

• An official form or document.

• A free ticket to an event.

Answer explanation

A 'compliment' is a nice thing you say to someone. Its homophone, 'complement,' means something that completes another thing, like how cheese can complement a burger.

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

Groups:

(a) Homophones

,

(b) Homographs

,

(c) Homonyms

• lead (metal) / lead (guide)

• sew / so

• fair (just) / fair (event)

• ate / eight

• bat (animal) / bat (sports)

• read (present) / read (past)

Answer explanation

Homophones sound the same but have different spellings/meanings. Homographs are spelled the same but have different pronunciations/meanings. Homonyms are spelled and sound the same but have different meanings.

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'I would rather have the apple _____ the orange.'?

• then

• than

• them

• they're

Answer explanation

'Than' is used for comparisons, like comparing an apple and an orange. 'Then' refers to time or sequence (e.g., 'First we eat, then we go').

In the sentence, 'The band will record a new album,' how is the word record pronounced?

• RE-cord, with the stress on the first syllable.

• re-CORD, with the stress on the second syllable.

• It can be pronounced either way.

• It is pronounced the same as 'wreckered'.

Answer explanation

When 'record' is a verb (an action), the stress is on the second syllable (re-CORD). When it's a noun (a thing, like a world record), the stress is on the first syllable (RE-cord).

Match the word to its correct definition in a pair of homonyms.

• An insect with two wings.

• fly (noun)

• To observe something over a period of time.

• watch (verb)

• A privilege or something you are entitled to.

• right (noun)

• An enclosure for animals.

• pen (noun)

Answer explanation

These words are homonyms, having the same spelling and sound but different meanings. A 'pen' can be a writing tool or an enclosure. 'Right' can be a direction or a privilege. To 'watch' is to look, but a 'watch' is a timepiece. A 'fly' is an insect, but to 'fly' is to move through the air.

Words that are spelled the same but may be pronounced differently and have different meanings are called:

• Homophones

• Synonyms

• Homographs

• Antonyms

Answer explanation

Homographs have the same spelling ('graph' means 'write'). For example, 'wind' (air) and 'wind' (to coil something). Homophones sound the same ('phone' means 'sound').

Which sentence uses the word 'principal' correctly?

• My main principal in life is to be kind.

• The school principal announced a snow day.

• I paid both the principal and the interest on the loan.

• Both B and C are correct.

Answer explanation

'Principal' as a noun refers to the head of a school or a sum of money. 'Principle' is a rule or belief. While 'C' is also technically correct, the most common use for a Grade 8 student is the head of a school.

The word 'bow' is a homograph. Sort the sentences based on the meaning of 'bow'.

Groups:

(a) A knot or decoration

,

(b) A tool for a string instrument or weapon

,

(c) To bend forward

,

(d) The front of a boat

• He learned to play the violin with a bow.

• The front of the ship is called the bow.

• She tied a colorful bow in her hair.

• The actor took a deep bow after the show.

Answer explanation

The word 'bow' has multiple meanings and pronunciations. It can be a knot (boh), a tool (boh), a gesture of respect (bou), or the front of a ship (bou).