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Commonly Confused Words (affect/effect, their/there/they're, etc.) — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 8 homophones worksheet.

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Year 8 · English · Homophones

Commonly Confused Words (affect/effect, their/there/they're, etc.) — Answers

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Part A — Pick the right word

Circle the option that completes the sentence correctly.

1.The late night did not ______ her performance.
  1. Aaffect
  2. Beffect

Answer: affect

'Affect' is almost always the verb (to influence). 'Effect' is almost always the noun (the result). Hook: Affect is the Action, Effect is the End result.

2.______ going to need ______ coats; it's cold over ______.
  1. ATheir / there / they're
  2. BThey're / their / there
  3. CThere / they're / their
  4. DThey're / there / their

Answer: They're / their / there

They're = they are; their = belonging to them; there = a place (it contains 'here').

3.______ welcome to bring ______ own lunch.
  1. AYour / you're
  2. BYou're / your
  3. CYour / your
  4. DYou're / you're

Answer: You're / your

You're = you are. Your = belonging to you. If 'you are' fits, use the apostrophe.

4.It is ______ late ______ walk ______ the shops.
  1. Ato / too / to
  2. Btoo / to / to
  3. Ctoo / too / to
  4. Dto / to / too

Answer: too / to / to

Too = excessively (or 'also'); to = direction or part of a verb; two = the number.

5.______ jacket is this, and ______ coming to collect it?
  1. AWhose / whose
  2. BWho's / who's
  3. CWhose / who's
  4. DWho's / whose

Answer: Whose / who's

Whose shows possession; who's = who is / who has.

6.She is taller ______ her brother, but ______ he is two years younger.
  1. Athan / then
  2. Bthen / than
  3. Cthan / than
  4. Dthen / then

Answer: than / then

Than is for comparison; then is for time or sequence. Hook: thAn compAres, thEn is nExt.

Part B — Fill the gaps

Write the correct word from the pair in each gap.

7.The netball team will on Tuesday; makes perfect. (practise / practice)

Answer: practise; practice

In Australian English, practise is the verb and practice is the noun. Hook: advise/advice follows the same pattern, and you can hear the difference there.

8.Everyone the invitation Tom. (accept / except)

Answer: accepted; except

Accept = to receive or agree to. Except = apart from. Hook: eXcept eXcludes.

9.If you the key, the gate will swing open. (lose / loose)

Answer: lose; loose

Lose (one o) is the verb: to misplace or be defeated. Loose (two o's) is the adjective: not tight.

10.I don't know the will clear by the weekend. (weather / whether)

Answer: whether; weather

Weather is rain, sun and wind; whether introduces a choice or doubt. Hook: wHether has 'he' choosing.

11.The reminded us of the school's first : honesty. (principal / principle)

Answer: principal; principle

Principal is the head of a school (and means 'main'); a principle is a rule or belief. Hook: the principal is your pal.

12.The red scarf will your coat, and you will get a on it. (complement / compliment)

Answer: complement; compliment

Complement = to complete or go well with. Compliment = praise. Hook: a complEment complEtes; a complIment is what I like to hear.

Part C — Explain the difference

Answer in full sentences.

13.Explain the difference between licence and license in Australian English, with an example of each.

Answer: Licence is the noun: 'She passed her test and got her driver's licence.' License is the verb: 'The council will license the new café.' (Same pattern as practice/practise and advice/advise.)

14.Explain the difference between stationary and stationery, and give a memory hook.

Answer: Stationary means not moving: 'The car was stationary.' Stationery means paper, pens and envelopes. Hook: stationEry has an E for Envelopes; stationAry has an A for 'At a standstill'.

15.'Affect' is usually a verb and 'effect' usually a noun, but each can swap roles. Write one sentence using effect as a verb meaning 'to bring about'.

Answer: Model: The new principal hoped to effect real change in the school. (To 'effect change' means to cause it to happen; to 'affect change' would mean to influence it.)

Part D — Your sentences

16.Write five sentences that each use a different pair from this worksheet correctly, with both words of the pair in the same sentence. Underline the confusable words.

Model answer: 1. The weather will decide whether the carnival goes ahead. 2. If you lose the drawstring, the shorts will be too loose to wear. 3. Their bikes are over there, and they're not locked. 4. The practice match let us practise our new defence. 5. I accept your apology, except for the part about the cat.

Success criteria:

  • Five sentences, each using a different confusable pair
  • Both words of each pair used correctly in the same sentence
  • Confusable words underlined
  • Sentences are complete and make sense
  • Correct Australian spellings (practise/practice, licence/license)
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