PLEASE READ...

2005-03-09T03:35:00.000-08:00

...THE "IT'S NOT MY FAULT" SECTION BEFORE YOU TAKE UP SPACE IN MY POSTS.
I have deleted many posts because they either asked questions that are already explained in the "It's not my fault" section, or they are griping about what they got "wrong" when they actually got full points for the question, but there was a score generator error. No one wants to read through a bunch of posts that all ask the same question, in addition to the fact that it's a monopolizer of my time. Thank you!

Answer Key

2005-03-09T03:30:00.000-08:00

Beginner Section

1. The knot she tied was very __________.
a. loose
b. lose
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is loose.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
loose - adj. Not fastened, restrained, or contained
lose - v. To be unsuccessful in retaining possession of; to fail; to rid oneself of; to suffer loss

2. Take a deep __________.
a. breath
b. breathe
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is breath.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Explanation:
Breath is a noun; breathe is a verb. If you use the word breathe, the "sentence" would contain two verbs and no noun and, therefore, would be incomplete. Take is an action verb. Breath is what is being taken here.

3. She has a __________ appetite.
a. hardy
b. hearty
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is hearty.
Points: a=, b=1, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
hardy - being in robust and good sturdy health; courageous
hearty - vigorous; robust

4. I wish you would study for __________ test.
a. you're
b. your
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is your.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=1, d=2
Definitions:
you're - contraction of you are
your - adj. used as a modifier before a noun; the possessive form of you
Explanation:
It is your test because you possess the test.
Did you know? The word would [will] is an auxiliary verb, or helping verb. An auxiliary verb is a verb that accompanies the main verb in a clause and helps to make distinctions in mood, voice, aspect, or tense. In this sentence, study is the main verb, and would is helping distinguish tense. Study is a present tense verb. However, by using the auxiliary verb would before it, the tense is changed to future.

5. He __________ to the banquet with Naomi and __________.
a. gone / I
b. gone / me
c. went / I
d. went / me
The correct answer is went / me.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=1, d=2
Definitions:
gone - v. past participle of go
went - v. past tense of go
Explanation:
Past participles are used for perfect forms of the verb. Perfect forms use auxiliary verbs before the main verb (See "Did you know?" in question 4's explanation). You can say "He had gone" or "He should have gone", but you cannot use the verb gone without an auxiliary verb. Went is simply past tense of the word go. Therefore, went is the correct choice.
The words I and me can sometimes get confusing. There are two rules that make using these two words very simple.
1) Never put yourself first.
2) Remove the other person from the equation.
In this sentence, remove Naomi. Would you say "He went to the banquet with I", or "He went to the banquet with me"? Me is the correct choice in this sentence.

6. __________ and __________ left at 7 o'clock.
a. Her / I
b. Her / me
c. She / I
d. She / me
The correct answer is She / I.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=2, d=1
Definitions:
her - pron. the objective case of she
she - used to refer to a woman or girl
Explanation:
When there are two pronouns, split the pronoun, making two sentences using each pronoun alone. (See the Explanation in question 5.) "Her left at 7 o'clock" is incorrect. "She left at 7 o'clock" is correct. "I left at 7 o'clock" is correct. "Me left at 7 o'clock" is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is "She and I left at 7 o'clock."

7. __________ impolite to stare.
a. It's
b. Its
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is It's.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d-0
Definitions:
it's - contraction of it is
its - possessive pronoun
Explanation:
There is nothing in this sentence for it to possess. In addition, if you use the word its in this sentence, there would be no verb, which would make it an incomplete clause. "It is impolite to stare" is a complete sentence. Therefore it's is the correct choice.

8. __________ were 50 questions on __________ tests.
a. Their / there
b. Their / they're
c. There / their
d. There / they're
The correct answer is There / their.
Points: a=0, b=0, c=2, d=1
Definitions:
their - adj. the possessive form of they, used as a modifier before a noun
there - pron. used to introduce a clause or sentence
they're - contraction of they are
Explanation:
There is used to introduce a clause or sentence; therefore, the correct answer must be c or d. Their is an adjective modifying a noun. In this case, tests is the noun, and their describes whose tests. Therefore, the correct sentence is "There were 50 questions on their tests".

9. They finished before __________ time limit expired.
a. his or her
b. their
c. there
d. they're
The correct answer is their.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=0, d=0
Explanation:
See Definitions and Explanation in question 8 for usage of the words their and there.

10. However, __________ smarter __________ you think.
a. their / than
b. their / then
c. they're / than
d. they're / then
The correct answer is they're / than.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=2, d=1
Definitions:
than is comparative
then is chronological or consequential
Explanation:
See Definitions and Explanation in question 8 for usage of the words their and they're.
In this sentence, we are comparing how smart they are and how smart you think they are, so we use the word than. Then is used when referring to time or consequences.
Example:
If you think there is going to be traffic, then leave sooner than you normally do."
Then is referring to the consequences relating to traffic. Than is comparing leaving sooner and leaving when you normally do.

Intermediate Section

11. The __________ called the student into his office.
a. principal
b. principle
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is principal.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
principal - n. one who holds a position of presiding rank, especially the head of an elementary school or high school.
principle - n. a basic truth, law, or assumption

12. A motivational speaker was __________ to boost __________.
a. they're / moral
b. they're / morale
c. there / moral
d. there / morale
The correct answer is there / morale.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=1, d=2
Definitions:
moral - n. a concisely expressed precept or general truth; a maxim
morale - n. he state of the spirits of a person or group as exhibited by confidence, cheerfulness, discipline, and willingness to perform assigned tasks
See Definitions and Explanation in question 8 for usage of the words they're and there.

13. __________ the actor __________ wife is deaf?
a. Who's / who's
b. Who's / whose
c. Whose / who's
d. Whose / whose
The correct answer is Who's / whose.
Points: a=1, b=2, c=0, d=1
Definitions:
who's - contraction of who is
whose - the possessive form of who or which
Explanation:
The subject of this sentence is who. If we answered the question with a complete sentence, we could say, "Bob is an actor, and his wife is deaf." Bob would be the subject of that sentence, and he possesses a deaf wife. Therefore, the correct sentence is, "Who's the actor whose wife is deaf?"

14. It is difficult for her to __________ criticism.
a. accept
b. except
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is accept.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
accept - v. tr. to receive; to admit; to endure; to consent
except - v. tr. to leave out

15. He did not deserve the __________ because he cheated.
a. medal
b. meddle
c. metal
d. mettle
The correct answer is medal.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
medal - n. a flat piece of metal stamped with a design or an inscription commemorating an event or a person, often given as an award
meddle - v. interfere unwantedly
metal - n. any of a category of electropositive elements that usually have a shiny surface, are generally good conductors of heat and electricity, and can be melted or fused, hammered into thin sheets, or drawn into wires
mettle - n. courage and fortitude; spirit; inherent quality of character

16. His employer __________ him two weeks late.
a. paid
b. payed
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is paid.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
paid - past tense and past participle of pay - to give in exchange for
payed - past tense and past participle of pay - to let out by slackening; to coat or cover

17. If you __________ keep arguing, I am going __________ get a headache!
a. to / too
b. too / to
c. two / to
d. two / too
The correct answer is two / to.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=2, d=1
to - prep. in a direction toward so as to reach
too - also
two - the number 2

18. In a lemon meringue pie recipe, you use both the egg whites and egg __________.
a. yokes
b. yolks
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is yolks.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
yoke - n. something that connects or joins together
yolk - n. the yellow portion of an egg of a bird or reptile

19. He had __________ her on the street in the __________.
a. passed / passed
b. passed / past
c. past / passed
d. past / past
The correct answer is passed / past.
Points: a=1, b=2, c=0, d=1
Definitions:
passed - v. past tense of pass - to go by; to go beyond; to go across
past - n. the time before the present
Explanation:
He went by her on the street at some time before the present.

20. Only bring the __________ essentials on this trip.
a. bare
b. bear
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is bare.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
bare - adj. just sufficient; mere
bear - v. or n. with many different meanings
Explanation:
In this sentence, the noun essentials is being described. Bare is describing what kind of essentials to bring on the trip. Bear is not an adjective, therefore it cannot be used to describe the noun essentials.

Advanced Section

21. He did not know how to __________ her in that situation.
a. advice
b. advise
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is advise.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
advice - n. opinion about what could or should be done about a situation or problem; counsel
advise - v. to offer advice to; counsel

22. That rug will be a nice __________ to my living room furniture.
a. complement
b. compliment
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is complement.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
complement - n. something added to complete or make perfect
compliment - n. an expression of praise, admiration, or congratulation

23. She had __________ the movie before he __________ it.
a. saw / saw
b. saw / seen
c. seen / saw
d. seen / seen
The correct answer is seen / saw.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=2, d=1
Definitions:
saw - v. past tense of see
seen - v. past participle of see
Explanation:
A past participle in perfect tense requires a helping verb, or auxiliary verb (had, in this case), and the pure past tense of a verb does not use auxiliary verbs. (About auxiliary verbs - see Did You Know? in question 4's Explanation)
Resource(s):
http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000319.htm
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/past-participle.html

24. That is an impressive hand-held __________.
a. device
b. devise
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is device.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
device - n. a contrivance or invention serving a particular purpose
devise - v. to design or contrive

25. Speeding in your car is __________.
a. risky
b. risque
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is risky.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
risky - adj. accompanied by or involving risk or danger; hazardous
risque - suggestive of or bordering on indelicacy or impropriety; suggestive of sexual impropriety

26. Her parents bought her the __________ __________ for school.
a. necessarily / stationary
b. necessarily / stationery
c. necessary / stationary
d. necessary / stationery
The correct answer is necessary / stationery.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=1, d=2
Definitions:
necessarily - adv. of necessity; inevitably
necessary - adj. absolutely essential
stationary - adj. not moving; fixed; standing still
stationery - n. writing materials

27. He is __________ every __________ of the situation.
a. accessing / aspect
b. accessing / respect
c. assessing / aspect
d. assessing / respect.
The correct answer is assessing / aspect.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=2, d=1
Definitions:
accessing - v. obtaining a means of approaching, entering, exiting, or communicating with
assessing - v. determining the value, significance, or extent of
aspect - n. a way in which something can be viewed
respect - n. the state of being regarded with honor or esteem

28. He will __________ her tomorrow.
a. council
b. counsel
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is counsel.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
council - n. an assembly of persons called together for consultation, deliberation or discussion
counsel - v. to give or take advice

29. I __________ you, this is the best policy to __________ your vehicle.
a. assure / ensure
b. assure / insure
c. ensure / insure
d. insure / ensure
The correct answer is assure / insure.
Points: a=1, b=2, c=1, d=0
Definitions:
assure - v. to inform positively, as to remove doubt
ensure - v. to make certain of
insure - v. to provide or arrange insurance (a protective measure) for

30. The salad is tasty__ however, the soup tastes even __________.
a. : / best
b. : / better
c. ; / best
d. ; / better
The correct answer is ; / better.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=1, d=2
Definitions:
best - adj. superlative of good; surpassing all others in quality; most satisfactory
better - adj. comparative of good
Explanation: A comma or a period would work after the word tasty, but the first part of this sentence tests your usage of the colon and the semicolon. A colon is used to introduce something. The first part of the sentence, the salad is tasty, is not introducing anything. It is just a statement. Here is an example of one way to properly use a colon: this sentence. Before the colon, I introduced you to the idea of an example, and after the colon, I gave you the example. A semicolon is used to connect two complete sentences. The taste of the salad and the taste of the soup are two separate ideas. Therefore, the semicolon is correct. "This sentence" is not a complete sentence, so you could not use a semicolon in the example sentence. You could, however, use a colon if the sentence was: "The salad was good, but there was something even better: the soup." I introduced the idea of something better, then after the colon, I told you what it was.
The word best is superlative, being used in comparison to all others in a category, or at least more than two. Better is used when comparing two items.
Resource(s):
http://www.stpt.usf.edu/pms/colon.html
http://www.stpt.usf.edu/pms/semicolon.html

Expert Section

31. They __________ her for murdering her children.
a. hanged
b. hung
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is hanged.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
hanged - v. past tense of hang; to suspend by the neck until dead
hung - v. past tense of hang; to fasten from above with no support from below
Hanged is used when referring to death by hanging. Hung is used in all other senses of the word.
Resource(s): See Usage Note for hang' a-ble adj. on the following webpage:
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=hung

32. The bombing had an adverse __________ on __________ issues.
a. affect / economic
b. affect / economical
c. effect / economic
d. effect / economical
The correct answer is effect / economic.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=2, d=1
Definitions:
affect - n. feeling or emotion
effect - n. something brought about by a cause or agent; a result
economic - adj. of or relating to an ecomomy
economical - adj. prudent and thrifty in management; not wasteful or extravagant
Explanation:
Here's a little hint: when the word on is after affect/effect, the correct word is always effect.

33. Please stay __________
a. a while
b. awhile
c. for a while
d. All of the above
The correct answer is All of the above.
Points: a=1, b=1, c=1, d=3
Definitions:
awhile - adv. for a short time
while - n. a period of time
Explanation:
Because the word awhile is an adverb, it cannot be used in a prepositional phrase. "for awhile" would be incorrect. Since while is a noun, it can be used with or without the preposition for. Therefore, all three are correct.
Resource(s):
http://www.wsu.edu/%7Ebrians/errors/awhile.html

34. He is __________ along in his academic program __________ he thought.
a. farther / than
b. farther / then
c. further / than
d. further / then
The correct answer is further / than.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=2, d=1
Explanation:
farther - comparative used for physcial distance
further - comparative used for nonphysical, metaphorical advancement
See usage notes: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=farther

35. She complains to __________ will listen.
a. whoever
b. whomever
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is whomever.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
who - pron. which person - used subjectively
whom - pron. the objective case of who
Explanation:
Whom is always used when it is the object of a preposition. Who is used as a suject and when a pronoun such as I or he could replace who. Here is an easy little trick to differentiate between who and whom: Replace the questionable word with he or him. If you would replace it with he, use who. If you would replace it with him, use whom.
Examples:
She complains to ___. You would fill in the blank with him, but you couldn't use he, so the use whom.
___ complains to him. You will fill in this blank with he, not him, so use who.
Who complains to whom? She complains to him. Very simply put:
Who = He
Whom = Him
Usage Note on the following webpage: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=who
http://www.wsu.edu/%7Ebrians/errors/awhile.html

36. __________ travel makes me sick to my stomach!
a. Naval
b. Navel
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is Naval.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
Navel - n. the mark on the surface of the abdomen where the umbilical cord was attached; bellybutton
Naval - adj. of or relating to ships or a navy

37. The amazing still flight of the hummingbird is a natural __________.
a. phenomena
b. phenomenon
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is phenomenon.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
phenomena - n. plural of phenomenon
phenomenon - n. an occurrence, circumstance, or fact that is perceptible by the senses

38. She has a __________ for gardening.
a. flair
b. flare
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is flair.
Points: a=1, b=0, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
flair - n. a natural talent or aptitude
flare - n. to flame up with a bright, wavering light; a device that produces a bright light

39. Chocolate chip paradise pie is my favorite __________.
a. desert
b. dessert
c. Either a or b
d. Neither a nor b
The correct answer is dessert.
Points: a=0, b=1, c=0, d=0
Definitions:
desert - n. a barren or desolate area
dessert - n. a usually sweet dish served as the last course of the meal

40. His frequent rude remarks don't __________ me because I know it is just a passing __________.
a. faze / faze
b. faze / phase
c. phase / faze
d. phase / phase
The correct answer is faze / phase.
Points: a=1, b=2, c=0, d=1
Definitions:
faze - v. disturb the composure of
phase - n. a temporary manner, attitude, or pattern of behavior

It's not my fault!

2005-03-02T01:54:00.000-08:00

Regarding your results page

This is how it works: I wrote the questions, and I assigned points to each correct question. The program (or whatever it is called) on OKCupid calculates your score based on your answers and the points that I assigned to each answer. Sometimes its calculations are wrong, giving you 0% when you answered all of them correctly in reality. I am very sorry about this; however, there is nothing I can do about it! That is one of the main reasons I created this blog - so you can check your answers. Please don't get mad at me and post the fact that OKCupid scored your test wrong.
Additional Information on Pointing: Some questions receive 1 point while others receive 2. The points for each question are listed in the Answer Key. That is how you can receive a score of something other than a multiple of 10 in a 10-question section.

2005-03-01T04:53:00.000-08:00

Would these eyes lie to you? :-)
Posted by Hello

The Commonly Confused Words Test - Answer Key

PLEASE READ...

Answer Key

It's not my fault!