Reading Comprehension Related

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Homophones
English is a vibrant, changing, dynamic language. It allows people to express their thoughts in diverse ways, as there are many synonyms and antonyms to choose from. The hardest part for the English speaker - or those learning English as a second language - is learning about homonyms. These are words that sound alike but are spelled different ways, with different meanings. One example is "One". This word, spelled "one" means the numeral 1, an amount. If spelled "won," it means to be victorious. No wonder spelling is a difficult skill to master! Other homonyms encountered by the beginning English speaker are "to, two, too," "four, for, fore," "there, their, they're" and "son, sun" to name just a few. This is one reason that "Spell check" programs on word processing computers cannot be completely accurate, because the way a word is spelled depends on the context of the sentence. Proofreaders will always be in demand.

Which statement accurately describes homonyms?

  • A. Words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings.
  • B. Words that sound the same, are spelled the same, but have different meanings.
  • C. Words that sound different, are spelled differently, but have the same meaning.
  • D. Words that sound different, are spelled the same, and have the same meaning.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Homonyms are words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Examples include 'two' and 'too,' 'there' and 'their,' and 'son' and 'sun.' Understanding homonyms is essential for mastering the English language, as they can lead to confusion in writing and communication. Spell check programs may not always catch errors related to homonyms because the correct spelling depends on the context of the sentence. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the distinctions between homonyms to effectively convey meaning in written and spoken language.