English spelling practice test 1
These exercises will help you practice spelling in English. While designed for intermediate/advanced ESL students, these exercises can also be used by anyone who wants to improve their spelling, whether it be for school, spelling-bees, etc.
Here's what you do:
1. Click on the button to the right of each question.
2. Listen to the word.
3. Write the word that you hear.
4. At the end of the exercise, click on "CHECK ANSWERS" to see how you did.
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FUN FACTS! The spelling bee
The spelling bee has a fascinating history rooted in both education and American culture. Here's a breakdown of how it all came to be:
Origins of the Term "Spelling Bee"
The word "bee" in this context refers to a gathering for communal work or competition, like a "quilting bee" or "husking bee."
The first recorded use of "spelling bee" dates back to the 1800s in the United States.
Educational Roots
The practice of spelling contests emerged from early American schools, where students would regularly recite and spell words aloud.
Noah Webster's spelling books, particularly the Blue-Backed Speller (published in 1786), were hugely influential in standardizing American English spelling and were commonly used in classrooms.
First Competitions
Informal spelling contests took place throughout the 19th century in schools and small communities.
These events were popularized as a way to encourage literacy and public performance skills.
National Spelling Bee
The first National Spelling Bee was held in 1925, sponsored by The Courier-Journal, a newspaper in Louisville, Kentucky.
It quickly became an annual event, with growing prestige.
In 1941, Scripps Howard (now The E.W. Scripps Company) took over sponsorship, and it became the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Modern Popularity
The bee has become a cultural phenomenon, especially in the U.S., with live broadcasts on ESPN, documentaries like Spellbound, and even Broadway musicals like The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
It has also expanded globally, with some international participants joining the competition.
Spelling bees are more common in countries where English is spoken as a first or second language, partly because English spelling is unusually irregular, making it a uniquely challenging and competitive subject.
