Homographs

In the sentence, 'The director will project her voice so the people in the back can hear,' what does the word project mean?

• A school assignment
• To cause an image to appear on a surface
• To throw or cast forward
• An estimate for the future

Answer explanation

In this context, 'project' is a verb meaning to cause your voice to be heard at a distance. The other options are different meanings of the homograph 'project,' which is often a noun.

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

• The archer raised his bow and aimed at the target.
• wind
• The farmer will sow the seeds in the spring.
• sow
• Don't forget to wind the grandfather clock before you go to bed.
• bow

Answer explanation

Each sentence uses a specific meaning and pronunciation of the homograph. 'Wind' (wined) means to turn a crank, 'bow' (boh) is a weapon, and 'sow' (so) means to plant.

When the word present has the stress on the first syllable (PRES-ent), what does it most likely mean?

• To introduce a speaker
• To be in attendance
• A gift
• To formally give an award

Answer explanation

When stressed on the first syllable, 'present' is a noun, usually meaning a gift. When stressed on the second syllable (pre-SENT), it is a verb meaning to give or show something.

Sort the sentences into categories based on the meaning of the homograph close.

Groups:

(a) Verb: To shut

,

(b) Adjective: Near or intimate

• My best friend and I are very close.
• The library will close at 5 PM today.
• Don't stand so close to the edge of the platform.
• Please close the door, it's cold in here.

Answer explanation

The sentences are sorted by whether 'close' is used as a verb (pronounced with a 'z' sound) meaning 'to shut,' or as an adjective (pronounced with an 's' sound) meaning 'near.'

Which sentence uses the word desert to mean 'to abandon'?

• The camel walked across the hot desert.
• A good friend will not desert you in a time of need.
• For dessert, we had ice cream and cake.
• The island was beautiful but completely desert.

Answer explanation

In this sentence, 'desert' is a verb meaning to abandon someone. The other options use 'desert' as a noun for a dry region or confuse it with the homophone 'dessert.'

Which of the following pairs of words are homographs?

• there / their
• to / too
• lead / lead
• accept / except

Answer explanation

Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. 'Lead' (the metal) and 'lead' (to guide) are homographs. The other pairs are homophones (sound the same, spelled differently).

Match each homograph to its pair of meanings.

• A unit of time / Extremely small
• tear
• To rip apart / A drop of water from the eye
• bass
• A type of fish / A low musical note
• minute

Answer explanation

Each word is a homograph with two distinct meanings and, in these cases, different pronunciations. The matches correctly pair the word with its two common definitions.

Read the sentence: 'After winning the game, the player was content.' What is the meaning of content in this context?

• The material held within something
• The topics covered in a book
• To make someone happy
• In a state of peaceful happiness

Answer explanation

In this sentence, 'content' is an adjective meaning satisfied or happy. The other options refer to the noun form of 'content,' which has a different stress pattern and meaning.

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

Groups:

(a) Homographs (Same Spelling)

,

(b) Homophones (Same Sound)

• dove / dove
• row / row
• see / sea
• ate / eight

Answer explanation

Homographs are spelled the same (like dove/dove), while homophones sound the same but are spelled differently (like ate/eight).

Yesterday, I read the first chapter. The pronunciation of read in this sentence is the same as which word?

• need
• reed
• red
• raid

Answer explanation

The past tense of 'read' is pronounced /rɛd/, like the color 'red.' The present tense is pronounced /riːd/, like 'reed.' The context 'yesterday' indicates the past tense.