The following words are often confused.
1. The war had a dramatic ........................... on oil prices.
Effect is a noun. Affect is a verb.
2. Did the war ........................... oil prices?
Affect is the verb; effect is a noun.
3. Travel can be an excellent ............................ to one's education.
If something complements, it completes.
4. The hostess received glowing ......................... on the dinner.
A compliment is an expression of praise.
5. I made ......................... inquiries about his credit rating.
Discreet means cautious, judicious; discrete means separate or distinct.
6. Churchill was one of the world's most ........................ statesmen.
Eminent means illustrious.
7. A storm is .............................
Imminent means about to happen.
8. Writing ad copy was a .......................... of her creative talent.
Misuse means wrong use.
9. Parts of the document are faded and ......................
Illegible means unreadable.
10. Mirrors give an ............................ of more space in a room.
Illusion means misleading visual impression.
11. The teacher made an ......................... to Shakespeare.
An allusion is a reference. An illusion is a false impression.
12. The student did ............................ research research before writing the term paper.
Exhaustive means comprehensive. If something is exhausting, it is tiring.
Answers
1. The war had a dramatic effect on oil prices.
2. Did the war affect oil prices?
3. Travel can be an excellent complement to one’s education.
4. The hostess received glowing compliments on the dinner.
5. I made discreet inquiries about his credit rating.
6. Churchill was one of the world’s most eminent statesmen.
7. A storm is imminent.
8. Writing ad copy was a misuse of her creative talent.
9. Parts of the document are faded and illegible.
10. Mirrors give an illusion of more space in a room.
11. The teacher made an allusion to Shakespeare.
12. The student did exhaustive research research before writing the term paper.
