Grade 10 English – 2.4.1 Mechanics of Writing: Spelling Quiz
1. Which of the following is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'to provide lodging or to make room for'?
Accommodate is spelled with both double c and double m: a-c-c-o-m-m-o-d-a-t-e.
2. Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'required or essential'?
Necessary is spelled with one c and two s's: n-e-c-e-s-s-a-r-y.
3. Which of these is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'to cause someone to feel ashamed or awkward'?
Embarrass has double r and double s: e-m-b-a-r-r-a-s-s.
4. Which is the correct spelling following the rule 'i before e except after c' for the word meaning 'to get back'?
After c the correct order is 'e' before 'i', so receive is correct (r-e-c-e-i-v-e).
5. Which of these is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'distinct, separate'?
Separate is spelled s-e-p-a-r-a-t-e; remember 'a' twice, not 'e'.
6. Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'an event or incident'?
Occurrence has two c's and two r's: o-c-c-u-r-r-e-n-c-e.
7. Which of the following correctly spells the word about moral sense or awareness?
Conscience is spelled c-o-n-s-c-i-e-n-c-e; 'conscious' is a different word.
8. Which is the correct spelling of the word that refers to a close working relationship between people or organisations?
Liaison is spelled l-i-a-i-s-o-n; it contains the unusual 'ai' sequence twice.
9. Which of these is the correct spelling of the musical term with a silent second letter: 'beat pattern'?
Rhythm is spelled r-h-y-t-h-m; the second letter r is followed by h, a tricky pattern.
10. Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'a special event or time'?
Occasion has two c's and one s: o-c-c-a-s-i-o-n.
11. Which of these is the correct spelling of the word for the system that shows days, weeks and months?
Calendar is spelled c-a-l-e-n-d-a-r; not with an 'e' where the 'a' should be.
12. Which spelling of the place where students eat is correct?
Restaurant is spelled r-e-s-t-a-u-r-a-n-t; the 'au' sequence and final 'ant' must be included.
13. Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'without any doubt'?
Definitely is spelled d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y; note the '-ite-' in the middle, not '-ate-'.
14. Which of the following correctly spells the word meaning 'a special right or advantage'?
Privilege is spelled p-r-i-v-i-l-e-g-e; the correct sequence is 'v-i-l-e-g-e'.
15. Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'the process of preserving something in its existing state'?
Maintenance is spelled m-a-i-n-t-e-n-a-n-c-e; the '-tenance' ending is correct.
16. Which of the following is the correct spelling of the word for a group chosen to make decisions?
Committee is spelled c-o-m-m-i-t-t-e-e with double m, double t and double e at the end.
17. Which is the correct spelling of the insect that can spread malaria?
Mosquito is spelled m-o-s-q-u-i-t-o; note the 'qu' after 'mos'.
18. Which of the following correctly spells the word meaning 'the way in which a word is said'?
Pronunciation is spelled p-r-o-n-u-n-c-i-a-t-i-o-n; the base verb is 'pronounce' but the noun drops the 'o' ('pronunciation').
19. Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'free from outside control; self-governing'?
Independent is spelled i-n-d-e-p-e-n-d-e-n-t, ending with '-dent', not '-dant' or '-det'.
20. Which of the following is the correct spelling of the verb meaning 'to suggest something as good or useful'?
Recommend has double m: r-e-c-o-m-m-e-n-d; only one 'm' follows the 'co' but two m's together in the middle.
21. Which of these is the correct spelling of the word meaning 'strange or unusual'?
Bizarre is spelled b-i-z-a-r-r-e with double r and an 'e' at the end.
22. Which spelling of the word for 'someone you have met and know slightly' is correct?
Acquaintance is spelled a-c-q-u-a-i-n-t-a-n-c-e; note the 'acq' and 'aint' sequences.
23. Which of the following correctly spells the word referring to how tall someone is?
Height is spelled h-e-i-g-h-t; the 'ei' followed by 'ght' is the standard spelling.
24. Which is the correct British spelling of the word referring to the appearance of something produced by light?
In British English (used in Kenya) the correct spelling is 'colour' with 'ou': c-o-l-o-u-r.
25. Which of the following is the correct British spelling of the word meaning 'a person living near you'?
Neighbour is spelled n-e-i-g-h-b-o-u-r in British English; it contains 'eigh' and 'our' endings.