Homographs

Which statement best defines a homograph?

• Words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings.

• Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings.

• Words that have opposite meanings.

• Words that have similar meanings.

Answer explanation

Homographs are words with the same spelling but different meanings, like 'bat' (animal) and 'bat' (sports equipment). The other options describe homophones, antonyms, and synonyms.

Sort the sentences based on whether the bolded word is used as a noun (a thing or idea) or a verb (an action).

Groups:

(a) Noun (Thing or Idea)

,

(b) Verb (Action)

• You need a parking permit.

• My parents will not permit me to go.

• I object to your unfair decision!

• The shiny object caught my eye.

Answer explanation

In the 'Noun' category, 'object' is a thing and 'permit' is a document. In the 'Verb' category, 'object' means to protest and 'permit' means to allow, both of which are actions.

In which sentence does the word **bass** rhyme with 'face'?

• The musician adjusted the strings on his electric **bass** before the show.

• We watched the fisherman reel in a large striped **bass** from the river.

• For dinner, the chef prepared a delicious grilled sea **bass**.

• The eagle swooped down and caught a struggling **bass** in its talons.

Answer explanation

The word 'bass' has two pronunciations. When it refers to a type of fish, it rhymes with 'mass'. When it refers to a low musical sound or instrument, it rhymes with 'face'. In the correct sentence, 'bass' refers to a musical instrument, so it is pronounced to rhyme with 'face'. The other options all refer to the fish.

The word fine can mean 'of good quality' or 'a penalty fee'. Which pair of words are also homographs?

• there, their

• two, too

• right, write

• watch, watch

Answer explanation

'Watch' is a homograph because it is spelled the same but can mean 'to look at' (a verb) or 'a timepiece' (a noun). The other pairs are homophones—they sound the same but are spelled differently.

Sort these sentences into two groups based on the part of speech of the word desert.

Groups:

(a) Used as a Noun (a place)

,

(b) Used as a Verb (to abandon)

• Cacti can grow in the dry desert.

• A loyal friend would never desert you.

• The camel walked across the hot desert.

• The soldiers were ordered not to desert their post.

Answer explanation

When 'desert' is a noun, it refers to a dry, sandy place (DE-sert). When it is a verb, it means to abandon or leave behind (de-SERT).

My school project is on the solar system, so I will project images of planets onto the screen. How does the meaning of project change?

• It means 'a plan' in both cases.

• It is first a noun (an assignment) and then a verb (to display).

• It is first a verb (to display) and then a noun (an assignment).

• It means 'to stick out' in both cases.

Answer explanation

The first 'project' (PRO-ject) is a noun meaning a school assignment. The second 'project' (pro-JECT) is a verb meaning to cause an image to appear on a surface.

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

Groups:

(a) Homographs (Same Spelling)

,

(b) Homophones (Same Sound)

• see / sea

• bow (weapon) / bow (to bend)

• lead (metal) / lead (to guide)

• their / there

• fly (insect) / fly (to travel in air)

• ate / eight

Answer explanation

Homographs have the same spelling but different meanings (and sometimes pronunciation). Homophones have the same sound but different spellings and meanings.

Read this sentence: 'The band will record their first album.' What part of speech is record in this sentence?

• Noun

• Verb

• Adjective

• Adverb

Answer explanation

In this sentence, 'record' is an action the band will perform, making it a verb (re-CORD). If it were a noun, the sentence might be 'The band played their new record,' where 'record' (REC-ord) is a thing.

Match each sentence to the correct meaning of the homograph wound.

• An injury

• The nurse cleaned the deep wound on his knee.

• Twisted or wrapped around something

• The clock stopped because I forgot to wind it.

• To turn a key or knob to power a mechanism

• She wound the yarn into a tight ball.

Answer explanation

The word 'wound' has different meanings and pronunciations. As a noun, it means an injury. As a verb, it can be the past tense of 'wind' (to twist) or the present tense of 'wind' (to power a clock).

Sort these sentences based on which syllable of the bolded word is stressed to give it its meaning.

Groups:

(a) Stress on First Syllable

,

(b) Stress on Second Syllable

• The main conflict in the story is between two friends.

• His beliefs conflict with the team's rules.

• Our science class will conduct an experiment.

• His good conduct earned him an award.

Answer explanation

When these words are used as nouns (CON-flict, CON-duct), the stress is on the first syllable. When they are used as verbs (con-FLICT, con-DUCT), the stress shifts to the second syllable.