About This Quiz
You've got to be a real wordsmith to do well on this quiz. Let's find out just how much you really know about homophones.
No, a homophone is not a musical instrument, even though we here at How Stuff Works do think words are musical. Homophones are words that sound the same, but which are spelled differently - like witch and which.Â
In spoken language, one has to use context to be able to understand what word fits within the communication, but in written language, spelling is key. For instance, when you are speaking with someone, they are not likely to think you're telling them that you can't decide witch which is which... clearly you want to know which witch is which.Â
But, which is which, you are likely to be misunderstood. It's interesting how spelling only counts in written language, isn't it? Still, context is key, so even if you are terrible at spelling, anyone with even the tiniest bit of deductive reasoning skills will know that you mean which witch is which, not witch which is which.
Confused? Don't be. Just prove your skill with homophones by acing this quiz. Let's get started.
"Which" is used to ask for information specifying one or more people or things from a definite set. A "witch" is a woman who is thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones.
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"Flour" is a powder created by grinding grain and is typically used to make cake, bread and pastry.
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"Bye" is short for goodbye but can also be defined as the transfer of a competitor directly to the next round of a competition without facing an opponent.
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While fore is yelled to warn about the path of a golf ball, it can also mean "placed in front of something."
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"Flew" is the past tense of "fly." "Flue" is a duct for smoke and waste gases produced by a fuel-burning source.
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A "petal" is a part of a flower. A "pedal" is a foot-operated lever used to power any vehicle using the legs.
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"Rode" is the past tense of "ride." Rowed" is the past tense of "row" and a road is a wide way leading from one place to another, usually for designed for vehicles.
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The phrase "you reap what you sow" means eventually you have to face consequences for your actions. The word "sow" means to plant seeds by scattering them on or in the earth.
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To "profit" is to make a financial gain. A "prophet" is a person regarded as an inspired teacher of the will of God.
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A "cellar" is a room below the ground level of a house. A "seller" is a person who sells something.
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The word "close" denotes a short distance away or apart in time or space. "Clothes" are items worn to cover the body.
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A "vane" is a broad blade that is attached to a rotating axis or wheel, usually used on devices such as windmills, propellers or turbines.
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"Scent" is a distinctive smell, while a "cent" is a monetary unit of countries like the United States and Canada. "Sent" is the past tense of "send."
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To "seize" is to take hold of suddenly and forcibly. "Seas" is the plural for "sea" and "sees" is the third-person present tense for "see."
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The word "wholly" means entirely or fully. "Holey" is used to describe something full of holes, while "holy" means you are dedicated to God or some other higher purpose.
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"Pique" is a feeling or resentment or irritation to one's pride. It can also be used as a verb to show stimulation.
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To "meddle" is to get involved in something that isn't one's concern. A "medal" is a metal disc with an inscription or design used to award or commemorate a person of importance.
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To "pare" is to trim something by cutting away its outer edges or outer skin. Synonyms include reduce, diminish and decrease.
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"Ore" is a naturally-occurring solid material from which metals or valuable minerals can be extracted. An "oar" is used to row a boat.
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A "rein" is a long, narrow strap used to check or guide a horse. To "reign" is to hold a royal office.
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A "bear" is an animal, but can also be used as a synonym to carry or support. "Bare" can mean not clothed or covered.
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A "son" is a boy or man who is related to one or both parents. The "sun" is the star around which the Earth orbits.
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A "tier" is a row or level of a structure. A "tear" is a clear, salty liquid secreted from ones eye when crying or suffering eye irritation.
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An "adze" is a tool similar to an ax and is used for cutting and/or shaping wood. "Ads" and "adds" are both the plural form of "ad" and "add," respectively.
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"Feet" can be a part of the body or a unit of measure. A "feat" is an achievement that requires great courage or skill.
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"Bred" is the past tense form of "breed," meaning reared in a specific way. "Bread" is food made of flour, water and yeast.
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A "berth" is a place where a ship is normally kept when at anchor. "Berth" is also used in a sports context such as "the team earned its first playoff berth in 10 years."
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While "cite" can mean to quote a book, passage or author to make a point in a scholarly work, it can also mean to summon someone to appear in court.
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While "dear" can be used as a showing of affection for someone, it is also used as a synonym for expensive.
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To be in a "daze" is to be in a state of stunned confusion or bewilderment. A "day" is a 24-hour period, with there being 365 of them in a regular Earth year.
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"Their" is used to show one's possession of something. "There" is used to show the location of something, while "they're" is short for "they are."
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"Complement" is a thing that completes or brings something to perfection. A "compliment" is a polite expression of praise.
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"Dye" is a substance that is used to add or change the color of something. To "die" is to stop living.
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A "leek" is a plant related to the onion. It has flat overlapping leaves forming an elongated bulb that together with the leaf bases is eaten as a vegetable
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"Peace" is the freedom from the disturbance of war or violence. A "piece" is a portion of an object or material, which is produced by cutting or breaking from the whole.
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