MadMup.com
If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
About Me
My EmailMy Forum
My Music
My Pictures
My Space
My Store
My Tube
My Webcam Archive
Some Favorite Posts
- Advice From Chocolate
- Continuing A Theme
- Inukshuk
- Like Me, Dang It!
- Peace of Cake
- R-E-S-P-E-C-T
- R.I.P. Zumba
- A Shared Moment
- Snakes on a Plane
- Viva la Revolución!
- Worthwhile
- Zen & the Art of Hard Drive Maintenance
Archives
- April 2003
- May 2003
- June 2003
- July 2003
- August 2003
- September 2003
- November 2003
- December 2003
- January 2004
- February 2004
- March 2004
- April 2004
- May 2004
- June 2004
- July 2004
- August 2004
- September 2004
- October 2004
- November 2004
- December 2004
- January 2005
- February 2005
- March 2005
- April 2005
- May 2005
- June 2005
- July 2005
- August 2005
- September 2005
- October 2005
- November 2005
- December 2005
- January 2006
- February 2006
- March 2006
- April 2006
- May 2006
- June 2006
- July 2006
- August 2006
- September 2006
- October 2006
- November 2006
- December 2006
- January 2007
- February 2007
- March 2007
- April 2007
- May 2007
- June 2007
- July 2007
- August 2007
- September 2007
- October 2007
- November 2007
- December 2007
- January 2008
- February 2008
- March 2008
- April 2008
- May 2008
- June 2008
- July 2008
- September 2008
- October 2008
- November 2008
- December 2008
- January 2009
- February 2009
- March 2009
- April 2009
- May 2009
- June 2009
- July 2009
- August 2009
- September 2009
- October 2009
- November 2009
- December 2009
- March 2010

Wednesday, June 13, 2007
English Quiz
Years ago and over a long stretch of time, a couple of my friends and I mulled the vagaries of the English language. From those ponderings sprang a list of nearly 200 "choose the right word" sentences suitable for any aspiring teachers to use. I share twenty of them with you now.

Directions: choose the correct word to complete the meaning of each sentence. (It sometimes helps to say them out loud.)How'd you do?
- The attitude of the class was (discussed, disgust).
- The pastry manufacturer finally got its business off the ground after several (false starts, false tarts).
- While at the restaurant, Superman had trouble getting his (capon, cape on).
- It is very easy to view the fish in this (manner, manor).
- The (stares, stairs) we received from the carpenters were not pleasing.
- The new thumb (tacks, tax) will hurt the average American.
- The wayward minstrel absconded with the (loot, lute).
- In the school play about the four food groups, my brother played a silent (roll, role).
- His favorite class was (band, banned).
- This is our (nuclear; new, clear) bomb.
- Though the contract negotiations were going well, his personal life was in shambles, and he couldn't wait to reach a (happy medium, happy medium).
- While on his virtual reality vacation, the poll-taker took leave of his (census, senses).
- I should call the Guinness people and tell them about my brother's incredible (feat, feet).
- There in (abasement, a basement) the mighty "king of the hill" mourned his downfall.
- On this airline, each vulture is allowed one (carry-on, carrion) bag.
- Madeline was hungry and disillusioned, and what she really needed at that moment was a (hero, hero).
- She soon came to regret her (birth, berth) on the train.
- While traveling abroad, the shoe salesman discovered that his (Polish, polish) wasn't quite up to par.
- "I will now go (fast, fast)," stated the speedy ascetic.
- I would like to make the salad dressing, but I don't have the (time, thyme).
Labels: language
Comments:
That was quite smart!
I tried to think of some similar sentence in response, but I fear I've lost the (talent, talent).
By the way 5 food groups (6 if you count oils)!
I tried to think of some similar sentence in response, but I fear I've lost the (talent, talent).
By the way 5 food groups (6 if you count oils)!
Is this a typo?
No 16: Madeline was hungry and disillusioned, and what she really needed at that moment was a (hero, hero).
No 16: Madeline was hungry and disillusioned, and what she really needed at that moment was a (hero, hero).
MK: Nice! Also, there were only 4 food groups back in the day when we created the list...
Meags: A "hero" is another word for "sub" (as in sandwich). That's only in particular parts of the US, though. Canadians are exempt from knowing that!
Meags: A "hero" is another word for "sub" (as in sandwich). That's only in particular parts of the US, though. Canadians are exempt from knowing that!
I tried to think of some similar sentence in response and looked into perhaps paying someone to write it, but I fear I've lost my(talent,talent).
Is that better? I'm trying really hard to be smart, but I'm not very good at (writing, righting).
Is that better? I'm trying really hard to be smart, but I'm not very good at (writing, righting).
Funny you should mention this. I came across a word last night (in my devotions no less)which intrigued me and made me start thinking about how weird the english language is.
Let's see if anyone can figure it out.
One spelling
Two pronunciations
Three letters
Four distinct meanings
Any ideas?
Let's see if anyone can figure it out.
One spelling
Two pronunciations
Three letters
Four distinct meanings
Any ideas?
The rest of the list is... well, they're of varying degrees of quality, let us say :) And who are you, anyway? Anonymous posts make me nervous!
Wendy, I'm stumped on your riddle - more clues? An answer, perhaps?
Wendy, I'm stumped on your riddle - more clues? An answer, perhaps?
The blind linguist always had trouble when he traveled to Mexico because he couldn't (see, si)
Wow, this IS fun.
Wow, this IS fun.
wendles: bow
1. front of a ship
2. to bend at the waist
3. a ribbon tied in a knot
4. to bend as in a piece of wood
5. what you do to a violin, and what you do it with
???
1. front of a ship
2. to bend at the waist
3. a ribbon tied in a knot
4. to bend as in a piece of wood
5. what you do to a violin, and what you do it with
???
I totally remember this in college, and whenever we would be in the same room and say a sentance that would work like that we'd both go, "the List!" Ha....thanks for the memories! :)
Post a Comment

Click Pic for Full Size, Comments, & Archives
Movie Journal
- (2010): 6
- (2009): 221
- (2008): 241
- (2007): 107
- (2006): 371
- (2005): 263
Blogs I Read
- Cathartic Ink
- Cremes
- Cynical Rantings
- Gret Reads 24/7
- Jim Gibbon.com
- Life in Idle
- Living By Faith
- Living Intelligently
- The O-Files
- Pixxelations.net
- RandomThink.net
- Smoothie King
- The Tiffinian
- Waltzian Heresies
Comics I Read
- Dilbert
- FoxTrot
- Get Fuzzy
- Joe Loves Crappy Movies
- Pearls Before Swine
- PvP
- Real Life
- Theater Hopper
- White Bread & Toast

