ADVANCED ENGLISH HOMONYMS EXERCISE 2
✓ Useful for TOEFL
✓ Useful for Cambridge B2/C1
DID YOU KNOW?
Homonym precision separates C1 writers from C2 writers — and Band 7 from Band 8.
At advanced levels, homonym errors are particularly damaging because they suggest the writer doesn’t fully control the words they’re using — even common ones. Pairs like stationary/stationery, counsel/council, or phase/faze catch out even experienced writers.
TOEFL reading passages use academic homonyms with precision, and understanding them is essential for answering vocabulary-in-context questions correctly. IELTS Reading also tests whether you can distinguish between closely related words. This is Exercise 2 in a three-part series — each one covers a fresh set of pairs.
Homonym precision separates C1 writers from C2 writers — and Band 7 from Band 8.
At advanced levels, homonym errors are particularly damaging because they suggest the writer doesn’t fully control the words they’re using — even common ones. Pairs like stationary/stationery, counsel/council, or phase/faze catch out even experienced writers.
TOEFL reading passages use academic homonyms with precision, and understanding them is essential for answering vocabulary-in-context questions correctly. IELTS Reading also tests whether you can distinguish between closely related words. This is Exercise 2 in a three-part series — each one covers a fresh set of pairs.
1. He lived on the top floor of a six- (storey/story) building.✓
2. All the (current/currant) ministers are from the same party.✓
3. The (ascent/assent) was very steep.✓
4. I don't believe his (story/storey).✓
5. Does your computer have a (cereal/serial) number?✓
6. He didn't expect that this would (affect/effect) his performance.✓
7. I didn't read the whole report; I just read the (summary/summery).✓
8. That was not the desired (effect/affect).✓
9. My brother eats (cereal/serial) in the morning.✓
10. John was praying at the (alter/altar).✓
