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WorksheetYear 9Level 3 · Challenge

Free Year 9 Near Homophones: allusion/illusion, discreet/discrete, eminent/imminent and More Worksheet

Students tackle near homophones, words that sound almost the same but have different meanings and spellings: allusion and illusion, discreet and discrete, eminent and imminent, elicit and illicit, conscience and conscious, desert and dessert, bought and brought, and quite and quiet. They match words to meanings, choose the right word in formal sentences and explain the difference between pairs that are often mixed up in essays.

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Year
Year 9
Subject
English
Topic
Homophones
Difficulty
Level 3 · Challenge
Estimated time
25 minutes
Curriculum
New Zealand Curriculum
Questions
16
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • distinguishing near homophones by meaning
  • choosing the correct near homophone in formal writing
  • explaining the difference between easily confused words
  • using memory hooks for tricky pairs

Curriculum: New Zealand Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Near Homophones: allusion/illusion, discreet/discrete, eminent/imminent and More

Ready for more? Move on to Year 10 English.

← Easier: Level 2 · Standard

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 9 students (typically ages 13–14) working on homophones. It is pitched at level 3 · challenge; an easier version is linked above.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 25 minutes for 16 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Explore more Year 9 english resources.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 9 · English · Homophones

Near Homophones: allusion/illusion, discreet/discrete, eminent/imminent and More

Name

Date

Score /

Near homophones are easy to say and easy to mix up. Slow down and check the meaning every time.

Part A: Know the difference

1.Match each word to its meaning.
  • allusion
  • illusion
  • discreet
  • discrete
  • eminent
  • imminent
  • elicit
  • illicit
  • famous and respected
  • careful not to draw attention or embarrass anyone
  • not allowed by law or rules
  • to draw out a response
  • an indirect reference to something
  • something that tricks the eye or mind
  • about to happen
  • separate and distinct

Part B: Choose the word

Circle the correct word.

2.The magician's floating card was a clever (answer space).
  1. Aallusion
  2. Billusion
3.The poem makes an (answer space) to an old fairy tale.
  1. Aallusion
  2. Billusion
4.Please be (answer space) and do not tell anyone about the surprise party.
  1. Adiscreet
  2. Bdiscrete
5.The project is divided into four (answer space) stages.
  1. Adiscreet
  2. Bdiscrete
6.Dark clouds suggested that a storm was (answer space).
  1. Aeminent
  2. Bimminent
7.An (answer space) scientist gave the opening speech.
  1. Aeminent
  2. Bimminent
8.The teacher's question was designed to (answer space) a range of opinions.
  1. Aelicit
  2. Billicit
9.After the accident, he was not (answer space) for several minutes.
  1. Aconscious
  2. Bconscience
10.Her guilty (answer space) made her return the extra change.
  1. Aconscious
  2. Bconscience
11.We had fruit salad for (answer space).
  1. Adesert
  2. Bdessert

Part C: Explain and correct

12.Yesterday I (answer space) a new book and (answer space) it to school to show my friends. (bought / brought)
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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Homophones in other year levels

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.