51+ Questions on Commonly Confused Words | Law Entrances

In the English language, there are numerous pairs of words that sound similar or have similar spellings, leading to frequent confusion among writers and speakers.

In this set of questions, each word pair is accompanied by multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge and reinforce your understanding.

Additionally, we have included detailed explanations for each question, ensuring that you not only know the correct answers but also understand the reasons behind them.

Let’s get started! All the best for the test!

1. Which word correctly completes the sentence? “She wants to _______ her favourite book to her friend.”

a) Accept

b) Except

c) Expect

d) Exempt

Answer: a) Accept

Explanation: In this context, “accept” means to willingly offer or give something to someone.

2. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “The students were asked to write a/an _______ about their summer vacation.”

a) Compliment

b) Complement

c) Opinion

d) Composition

Answer: d) Composition

Explanation: “Composition” refers to a written work or essay, which is appropriate in the given context.

3. Which word best fits in the blank? “He couldn’t find his car keys ________ he searched for hours.”

a) Except

b) Accept

c) Expect

d) Despite

Answer: a) Despite

Explanation: “Despite” indicates a contrast or unexpected situation, emphasizing that even though he searched for hours, he still couldn’t find his car keys.

4. Which word is a synonym for “accept”?

a) Except

b) Exempt

c) Assume

d) Receive

Answer: d) Receive

Explanation: “Receive” is a synonym for “accept” and means to take or acquire something willingly.

5. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “The doctor advised her to take the medicine _______ a day.”

a) Every

b) All

c) Each

d) Whole

Answer: a) Every

Explanation: In this context, “every” means each individual day.

6. Identify the correctly spelt word:

a) Discreet

b) Discrete

c) Discrit

d) Discreat

Answer: a) Discreet

Explanation: “Discreet” means showing tact, caution, or prudence.

7. Which word is a noun that refers to the natural surroundings or environment?

a) Weather

b) Whether

c) Wither

d) Wuthering

Answer: a) Weather

Explanation: “Weather” refers to the state of the atmosphere or conditions in a particular place.

8. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “The company decided to _______ three new employees.”

a) Except

b) Accept

c) Expect

d) Exempt

Answer: b) Accept

Explanation: “Accept” means to agree to receive or take in someone as an employee.

9. Identify the correctly spelt word:

a) Allusion

b) Illusion

c) Alusion

d) Ilusion

Answer: a) Allusion

Explanation: “Allusion” refers to an indirect reference or mention.

10. Which word means to cause to feel upset or disturbed?

a) Affect

b) Effect

c) Infect

d) Afflict

Answer: a) Affect

Explanation: “Affect” means to influence or produce an emotional impact on someone.

11. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “Please _______ the report and let me know your feedback.”

a) Cite

b) Site

c) Sight

d) Sigh

Answer: a) Cite

Explanation: “Cite” means to quote or refer to a source or provide evidence to support a claim.

12. Identify the word that means “a sweet course served after a meal”:

a) Desert

b) Dessert

c) Dessicate

d) Desolate

Answer: b) Dessert

Explanation: “Dessert” refers to a sweet course typically served at the end of a meal.

13. Which word is an adjective that means “having little or no hair”?

a) Bare

b) Bear

c) Barren

d) Braid

Answer: a) Bare

Explanation: “Bare” means uncovered or naked, often referring to a lack of hair or vegetation.

14. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “He is _______ his best to finish the project on time.”

a) Lay

b) Lying

c) Laying

d) Lain

Answer: c) Laying

Explanation: “Laying” is the present participle form of the verb “lay” and is appropriate in this context.

15. Identify the word that means “to cause to move upward”:

a) Raise

b) Raze

c) Rays

d) Rise

Answer: a) Raise

Explanation: “Raise” means to cause something to move or be lifted upward.

16. Which word is a verb that means “to come into existence or occur”?

a) Proceed

b) Precede

c) Succeed

d) Seize

Answer: a) Proceed

Explanation: “Proceed” means to continue or carry on with a course of action or to come into existence.

17. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “He has been working _______ for hours.”

a) Peace

b) Piece

c) Peaceful

d) Peacefully

Answer: b) Piece

Explanation: “Piece” refers to a part or portion, and in this context, it implies working continuously for hours.

18. Identify the word that means “the act of exhaling or expelling air from the lungs”:

a) Breath

b) Breathe

c) Breach

d) Breeze

Answer: b) Breathe

Explanation: “Breathe” is the verb that describes the action of inhaling and exhaling air.

19. Which word is an adjective that means “opposed to war or violence”?

a) Peaceful

b) Pacifist

c) Passive

d) Passionate

Answer: b) Pacifist

Explanation: “Pacifist” refers to someone who is against war or violence.

20. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “She is _______ a new project at work.”

a) Leading

b) Lying

c) Laying

d) Leaning

Answer: a) Leading

Explanation: “Leading” implies taking charge or guiding a new project at work.

21. Identify the word that means “to express approval, admiration, or respect”:

a) Complement

b) Compliment

c) Complete

d) Compete

Answer: b) Compliment

Explanation: “Compliment” refers to an expression of praise, admiration, or respect for someone.

22. Which word means “to move away or depart”?

a) Emigrate

b) Immigrate

c) Migrate

d) Transmit

Answer: a) Emigrate

Explanation: “Emigrate” means to leave one’s own country to settle in another.

23. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “She gave me her _______ opinion about the matter.”

a) Discreet

b) Discrete

c) Explicit

d) Implicit

Answer: c) Explicit

Explanation: “Explicit” means clear, direct, or openly stated.

24. Identify the word that means “a person who is the object of intense dislike, hostility, or resentment”:

a) Prey

b) Pray

c) Player

d) Praise

Answer: a) Prey

Explanation: “Prey” refers to an animal or person that is hunted, attacked, or exploited.

25. Which word is a verb that means “to engage in a contest or competition”?

a) Duel

b) Dual

c) Dwell

d) Dwindle

Answer: a) Duel

Explanation: “Duel” refers to a formal combat or fight between two people.

26. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “He was _______ in the competition.”

a) Exceed

b) Succeed

c) Exceeding

d) Succeeding

Answer: b) Succeed

Explanation: “Succeed” means to achieve success or accomplish a desired outcome.

27. Identify the word that means “an expression or occurrence that deviates from what is normal or expected”:

a) Break

b) Brake

c) Breach

d) Breech

Answer: c) Breach

Explanation: “Breach” refers to a violation or an act of breaking or disregarding a rule, agreement, or barrier.

28. Which word is a verb that means “to gather or accumulate a large quantity of something”?

a) Horde

b) Hoard

c) Sword

d) Board

Answer: b) Hoard

Explanation: “Hoard” means to amass or store a large quantity of something.

29. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “The students were _______ to stay silent during the exam.”

a) Principal

b) Principle

c) Principled

d) Princely

Answer: a) Principal

Explanation: “Principal” refers to the head of a school or an important person in an organization.

30. Identify the word that means “to move in a steady, continuous, or unbroken line or course”:

a) Straight

b) Strait

c) Stare

d) Stair

Answer: a) Straight

Explanation: “Straight” means not curved or bent; in a direct line.

31. Which word is a verb that means “to cause to fall or be thrown forcefully”:

a) Threw

b) Through

c) Thorough

d) Throughout

Answer: a) Threw

Explanation: “Threw” is the past tense of the verb “throw” and implies causing something to fall or be propelled forcefully.

32. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “She was in the _______ of a difficult decision.”

a) Throws

b) Throws

c) Thrones

d) Throes

Answer: d) Throes

Explanation: “Throes” refers to a state of intense or difficult struggle or turmoil.

33. Identify the word that means “a small vessel for holding liquids”:

a) Vile

b) Vial

c) Viol

d) Vital

Answer: b) Vial

Explanation: “Vial” refers to a small container, often made of glass, used for holding liquids.

34. Which word is a verb that means “to colour or stain something”?

a) Dye

b) Die

c) Dime

d) Dim

Answer: a) Dye

Explanation: “Dye” means to add colour to something, typically by soaking or staining it.

35. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “She felt a _______ of disappointment when she didn’t get the job.”

a) Wave

b) Waive

c) Wane

d) Waver

Answer: a) Wave

Explanation: “Wave” refers to a sudden feeling or surge of a particular emotion.

36. Identify the word that means “a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water”:

a) Straight

b) Strait

c) Stream

d) Streak

Answer: b) Strait

Explanation: “Strait” refers to a narrow passage of water between two larger bodies of water.

37. Which word is an adjective that means “not firmly fixed or tightly bound”?

a) Lose

b) Loose

c) Lost

d) Loosest

Answer: b) Loose

Explanation: “Loose” means not tight or securely fastened.

38. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “She _______ her keys on the table.”

a) Laid

b) Lied

c) Layed

d) Lay

Answer: a) Laid

Explanation: “Laid” is the past tense of the verb “lay” and implies placing something down.

39. Identify the word that means “a formal written or printed statement”:

a) Site

b) Sight

c) Cite

d) Sit

Answer: c) Cite

Explanation: “Cite” refers to a reference or quotation from a source.

40. Which word is a noun that means “a person who is greatly admired or emulated”?

a) Ideal

b) Idol

c) Idle

d) Idea

Answer: b) Idol

Explanation: “Idol” refers to someone who is greatly admired, respected, or revered.

41. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “The dog _______ its tail happily.”

a) Wags

b) Waxes

c) Wanes

d) Waits

Answer: a) Wags

Explanation: “Wags” means to move or swing (the tail) back and forth in a lively or excited manner.

42. Identify the word that means “a location or place”:

a) Seen

b) Seem

c) Sight

d) Site

Answer: d) Site

Explanation: “Site” refers to a specific location or place.

43. Which word is an adjective that means “clearly expressed or readily understood”?

a) Explicit

b) Implicit

c) Exploit

d) Expletive

Answer: a) Explicit

Explanation: “Explicit” means clear, direct, or openly expressed.

44. Which word is a noun that means “an act of speaking to someone in an angry, critical, or insulting way”?

a) Attacker

b) Insulter

c) Abuser

d) Berater

Answer: d) Berater

Explanation: A “berater” refers to someone who speaks to another person in an angry, critical, or insulting way.

45. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “She _______ the award for her outstanding performance.”

a) Accepted

b) Excepted

c) Expected

d) Exempted

Answer: a) Accepted

Explanation: “Accepted” means to receive or take in something willingly, such as an award.

46. Identify the word that means “a group of people, especially when regarded as socially exclusive or influential”:

a) Clutch

b) Clan

c) Crew

d) Clique

Answer: d) Clique

Explanation: A “clique” refers to a small group of people with shared interests or characteristics, often regarded as exclusive or influential.

47. Which word is a verb that means “to search thoroughly or rummage through something”?

a) Scavenge

b) Scrabble

c) Sift

d) Scrutinize

Answer: b) Scrabble

Explanation: “Scrabble” means to search or rummage through something, often in a hurried or haphazard manner.

48. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “The teacher asked the students to _______ quietly in their seats.”

a) Lye

b) Lie

c) Lei

d) Lai

Answer: b) Lie

Explanation: “Lie” means to recline or rest in a horizontal position.

49. Identify the word that means “to question or express doubt about something”:

a) Quell

b) Query

c) Quarry

d) Quiver

Answer: b) Query

Explanation: “Query” means to question, inquire, or express doubt about something.

50. Which word is a noun that means “a feeling of doubt, hesitation, or uncertainty”?

a) Ambiguity

b) Ambivalence

c) Anxiety

d) Anticipation

Answer: b) Ambivalence

Explanation: “Ambivalence” refers to the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes toward something or someone.

51. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: “The magician performed a _______ trick that amazed the audience.”

a) Illusive

b) Elusive

c) Allusive

d) Illusory

Answer: b) Elusive

Explanation: “Elusive” means difficult to find, capture, or comprehend, often used to describe something that evades understanding or detection.

52. Identify the word that means “a formal examination of evidence in a court of law”:

a) Proceeding

b) Prosecution

c) Precedent

d) Proof

Answer: b) Prosecution

Explanation: “Prosecution” refers to the act of conducting a legal case against a person accused of a crime in a court of law.

53. Which word is an adjective that means “showing a lack of interest or concern”?

a) Disinterested

b) Uninterested

c) Indifferent

d) Apathetic

Answer: b) Uninterested

Explanation: “Uninterested” means lacking interest or concern, showing a disengaged or indifferent attitude.