How did you do on yesterday’s quiz? (If you haven’t had a chance to take it, give it a try here before looking at the answers below.) Did you find it easier to pick the correct word by using the context of the sentence to figure out which one fit the best? Were there words that you still mixed up? Some of the word pairs have very similar spelling – did those word pairs cause any trouble? Other word pairs sound the same, or nearly the same, when spoken out loud – did you find yourself getting confused because of that? Think about any problems you might have had when you took this quiz, then check your answers. In future posts, we’ll have tips on how you can get the most out of your vocabulary study time.

When the choirs from the five local churches perform all together, they sound very impressive.

Passing the written test of road safety is the penultimate step towards getting a driver’s license.

When you are overwhelmed by a large project, try breaking it down into discrete parts and working on them one at a time.

Howard takes every opportunity he can to flaunt his knowledge of Japanese when he goes out to the sushi bars with us.

Knowing that the crowd would be angry and inflammable, the police department decided to set patrols near the site of the demonstration.

Her job performance at our company was unexceptionable and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her for that position.

When you spend next week at that health spa, remember that they proscribe coffee and tea, so be prepared for a drop in your energy at first.

When we heard that the total solar eclipse was imminent we all rushed outside to watch.

The international scientific conference started with a speech by the eminent physicist Stephen Hawking.

Altogether, that was the best conference I have ever attended.

The store manager was arrested for the illicit surveillance videos he made of his employees in the changing rooms.

The United Nations Security Council is instrumental in keeping peace around the world.

If you arrive late for the wedding, please be discreet when you enter the church, so that you don’t interrupt the ceremony.

I’m not averse to the use of salt in cooking, but she adds too much to her dishes for my taste.

Because the oxygen in the respirators is highly flammable there is no smoking allowed in the asthma ward.

A homeopathic physician may prescribe a course of botanical extracts to cure your allergies.

The doctors tried everything they could to elicit a response from the comatose patient.

Ellen got a compliment from the minister on the lovely flower arrangement she made for the altar.

If you’re angry with her, I’d counsel you to wait a few days to think about your response to her remark.

Women in the 19th century were considered very daring to flout convention and wear trousers.

This symphony season was unexceptional and I don’t think I’m going to renew my subscription.

Some people think that free-fall skydiving is the ultimate in thrilling adventure.

Her positive attitude helps her deal with the most adverse situations.

Robert Burns stated that the perfect complement to a haggis is a dram of whiskey.