Homophones
English, Writing. Usually met in years 7 to 11.
Choose the right word from words that sound alike, such as their, there and they’re, or affect and effect.
What you practise
- Spotting the meaning a sentence needs
- Apostrophes in it’s, you’re and who’s
- Tricky pairs such as practise and practice
Moves from their, there and they’re to pairs that even adults mix up. Practice moves up a level when a round goes well and down when it does not.
Sample questions
Each sample comes with the method and the reason every wrong option is wrong. Real practice rounds are ten questions at your level.
Sample question, level 2 of 5
Which word fills the gap? “I want to come ___.”
- break
- to
- two
- peace
- too
Show the answer and method
Answer: E, too
The method: “too” means also, or more than is needed, which is what the sentence needs.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A, break: “break” means to smash, or a rest, which does not fit this sentence.
- B, to: “to” means towards, or used before a verb, which does not fit this sentence.
- C, two: “two” means the number 2, which does not fit this sentence.
- D, peace: “peace” means calm, without war, which does not fit this sentence.
Sample question, level 4 of 5
Which word fills the gap? “Let us take a ___ for ten minutes.”
- your
- right
- whole
- break
- brake
Show the answer and method
Answer: D, break
The method: “break” means to smash, or a rest, which is what the sentence needs.
Why the other options are wrong:
- A, your: “your” means belonging to you, which does not fit this sentence.
- B, right: “right” means correct, or the opposite of left, which does not fit this sentence.
- C, whole: “whole” means all of something, which does not fit this sentence.
- E, brake: “brake” means to slow down, or the part that slows a vehicle, which does not fit this sentence.
See where this fits: GCSE English with AQA and Key Stage 3.
Related topics: Spelling, Punctuation.
