W-3, Exercise 1—Commonly Confused Words

Multiple Choice

Select the correct term to fill in the blank.

1. Ask your next-door neighbor to _____ a package for you if you’re not home.

a. accept

b. except

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

2. Who ______ the story “The Christmas Carol” into play form?

a. adapted

b. adopted

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

3. How much does it cost to get a lawyer’s ______ about estate planning?

a. advise

b. advice

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

4. An absence of sunshine in the winter can _____ people’s moods.

a. affect

b. effect

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

5. Choosing _____ the six candidates will be difficult.

a. among

b. between

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

6. Did you notice the instructor’s _____ to Hamlet?

a. illusion

b. allusion

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

7. She feels _____ about losing the race.

a. badly

b. bad

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

8. Wisconsin’s _____, Madison, boasts a top-notch university.

a. capital

b. capitol

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

9. Salad, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and dessert_____ the birthday dinner.

a. comprised

b. composed

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

10. How many _____ must you meet for admission to graduate school?

a. criteria

b. criterion

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

W-3, Exercise 2 — Commonly Confused Words

Multiple Choice

Select the correct term to fill in the blank.

1. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a(n) _____ judge in that liberal community.

a. disinterested

b. uninterested

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

2. Who were the first of your ancestors to _____ to the United States?

a. emigrate

b. immigrate

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

3. Juan’s new house has _____ windows than his previous home.

a. fewer

b. less

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

4. From his speech, we can _____ that the governor intends to seek the nomination.

a. imply

b. infer

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

5. Amanda played the Mozart sonata extremely _____.

a. good

b. well

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

6. The director of the theater claims that _____ best reviews were for Via Dolorosa by

David Hare.

a. its

b. it’s

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

7. After a grueling day at the office, Monty decided to _____ down and take a nap.

a. lie

b. lay

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

8. The tour guide _____ us into the gloomy, damp cave.

a. led

b. lead

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

9. To _____ the game by only one point was heartbreaking for the team.

a. loose

b. lose

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

10. A basic _____ of American democracy is that all people are created equal.

a. principal

b. principle

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

W-3, Exercise 3 — Commonly Confused Words

Multiple Choice

Select the correct term to fill in the blank.

1. Why don’t you _____ over there until the music starts?

a. sit

b. set

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

2. Lucia runs two miles ______ of the week.

a. every day

b. everyday

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

3. After searching for hours, Sam found the perfect _______ for the end of his speech.

a. quote

b. quotation

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

4. The bride and groom need to select the _______ for the wedding invitation.

a. stationary

b. stationery

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

5. We plan to take the back roads rather ______ the interstate highway.

a. then

b. than

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

6. Georgia likes working ______, but she deserves a higher salary.

a. there

b. their

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

7. It is a big mistake ______ accept this information without checking all the facts.

a. too

b. to

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

8. _______ conditions are a crucial factor in the success of some businesses.

a. Weather

b. Whether

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

9. Mom thinks _______ the prettiest girl at the party.

a. your

b. you’re

ANS: b

REF: The correct answer is b.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>

10. The question of _______ responsible requires a comprehensive investigation.

a. who’s

b. whose

ANS: a

REF: The correct answer is a.

In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see W-3.

<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/

welcome.asp?page=41>

In The Little Seagull Handbook, see L-3.

<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/l-3-commonly-confused-

words.html>