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Homophones: Principal or Principle, Capital or Capitol? — Answers

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

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Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet8th Grade · English · Homophones

Homophones: Principal or Principle, Capital or Capitol? — Answers

Part A: Know the difference

1.Match each word to its meaning.
  • principal
  • principle
  • capital
  • capitol
  • stationary
  • stationery
  • complement
  • compliment
  • writing paper and envelopes
  • the head of a school; or main, most important
  • a basic rule or belief
  • a city that is the seat of government; or an uppercase letter
  • not moving
  • a kind or admiring remark
  • something that completes or goes well with something else
  • the building where lawmakers meet

Answer: principal → the head of a school; or main, most important; principle → a basic rule or belief; capital → a city that is the seat of government; or an uppercase letter; capitol → the building where lawmakers meet; stationary → not moving; stationery → writing paper and envelopes; complement → something that completes or goes well with something else; compliment → a kind or admiring remark

Part B: Choose the word

Circle the correct word. Read the memory hook in the answers when you check your work.

2.Austin is the (answer space) of Texas.
  1. Acapital
  2. Bcapitol

Answer: capital

Capital is the city that is the seat of government.

3.The Texas (answer space) building is topped by a dome.
  1. Acapital
  2. Bcapitol

Answer: capitol

Capitol (with an o) is the building.

4.Our (answer space) spoke at the start of the assembly.
  1. Aprincipal
  2. Bprinciple

Answer: principal

The principal is the head of the school; think “the principal is your pal.”

5.Fairness is an important (answer space) in sports.
  1. Aprincipal
  2. Bprinciple

Answer: principle

A principle is a rule or belief.

6.The (answer space) reason for the delay was a flat tire.
  1. Aprincipal
  2. Bprinciple

Answer: principal

Principal can also be an adjective meaning main.

7.The truck remained (answer space) in the traffic jam for an hour.
  1. Astationary
  2. Bstationery

Answer: stationary

Stationary means not moving; think stationary = standing still.

8.She wrote her thank-you notes on blue (answer space).
  1. Astationary
  2. Bstationery

Answer: stationery

Stationery is paper; think stationery = letters and envelopes.

9.My coach paid me a (answer space) on my free throws.
  1. Acomplement
  2. Bcompliment

Answer: compliment

A compliment is praise; think “I like compliments.”

10.The spicy salsa is a perfect (answer space) to the mild beans.
  1. Acomplement
  2. Bcompliment

Answer: complement

A complement completes something; think complement = complete.

11.The city (answer space) voted to build a new library.
  1. Acouncil
  2. Bcounsel

Answer: council

A council is a group that makes decisions.

12.The school counselor offered wise (answer space).
  1. Acouncil
  2. Bcounsel

Answer: counsel

Counsel means advice (or to give advice).

Part C: Fill the gap

Write the correct word from the parentheses.

13.We drove (answer space) the capitol on our way to the museum. (passed / past)

Answer: past

Past shows position or time (went past, in the past). Passed is a verb (she passed the test).

14.Our team (answer space) every opponent and won the debate tournament. (passed / past)

Answer: passed

Passed is the past tense of pass, meaning moved ahead of.

15.The tour guide (answer space) us up the grand staircase. (led / lead)

Answer: led

Led is the past tense of the verb lead. Lead (rhymes with bed) is a heavy metal.

16. (answer space) backpack is this? (Whose / Who's)

Answer: Whose

Whose shows ownership.

17. (answer space) ready to present first? (Whose / Who's)

Answer: Who's

Who's is short for who is.

18.We don't know (answer space) the trip will go ahead if the (answer space) turns stormy. (weather / whether)

Answer: whether; weather

Whether introduces a choice or possibility; weather is rain, sun and wind.

19.The bride walked down the (answer space) of the old stone church. (aisle / isle)

Answer: aisle

20.The car's engine sat (answer space) while we waited for the train to pass. (idle / idol)

Answer: idle

Idle means not active. An idol is someone or something admired or worshipped.

Part D: Proofread

21.This student news report has eight homophone errors. Write each error and its correction. "Last Friday, the eighth grade traveled to Austin, the capitol of Texas, to tour the state capital building. Our principle, Mr. Reyes, lead the group up the steps. In the House chamber, a guide explained the basic principals of how a bill becomes law. She also told us who's portraits hang on the walls. Afterward, we walked passed the governor's mansion and bought postcards and stationary at the gift shop."[4 marks]

Answer: capitol → capital; capital → capitol; principle → principal; lead → led; principals → principles; who's → whose; passed → past; stationary → stationery.

22.A spell-checker found none of those errors. Explain why, and say what a careful writer must do instead.[2 marks]

Answer: Every error is a real, correctly spelled word, so a spell-checker sees nothing wrong. The writer must read for meaning and check that each homophone fits the sentence.

Part E: Your turn

23.Write a sentence that uses both principal and principle correctly.[1 mark]

Answer: Any correct sentence, e.g., Our principal believes that honesty is the most important principle.

24.Write a sentence that uses both capital and capitol correctly.[1 mark]

Answer: Any correct sentence, e.g., Visitors to Austin, the capital of Texas, can tour the capitol for free.

25.Your turn: imagine you are writing a letter to your city council about a change you would like to see in your community. Write five or six sentences, using at least six words from this worksheet correctly. Underline them.[4 marks]

Model answer: Dear members of the city council, I am writing to ask whether you would consider adding a crosswalk outside our school. Our principal has asked for one in the past, but nothing has changed. Cars are rarely stationary on that road, even when students are crossing. I believe safety should be a basic principle of any city plan. A crosswalk would complement the new sidewalk you built last year. Thank you for listening, and I would welcome your counsel on what to do next.

Success criteria:

  • Writes five or six sentences in a formal letter style
  • Uses at least six homophones from the worksheet
  • Every homophone is correct for its meaning
  • Correct grammar, punctuation and formal tone
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