Homonyms are words that share the same spelling or pronunciation but have different meanings. They can be classified into three main types: homophones, homographs and true homonyms. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings, while homographs are words that have the same spelling but different meanings. True Homonyms are the words that are both spelled and pronounced alike but have entirely different meanings. Understanding homonyms is crucial for effective communication, reading comprehension, and writing skills, especially for competitive exams such as SSC (Staff Selection Commission) exams. Homonyms are intricately tied to grammar and syntax. Understanding their correct usage contributes to grammatical accuracy in sentences.
Directions (Qs. 1 - 20): Select the most appropriate homonyms to fill in the blank/ blanks.
1. The baker used the ..... to make the dough rise.
A) flower B) flour C) power D) flaw
2. The wound was deep; it needed a proper ......
A) band B) banned C) bandage D) banded
3. She could see the beautiful sunset from her .........
A) suit B) sweet C) sweat D) suite
4. The fisherman cast his ........ into the river.
A) reel B) real C) riel D) rear
5. The new employee had to learn the company's .........
A) principal B) princple C) prince pal D) principles
6. The ........ of the park attracted many tourists.
A) scene B) seen C) sine D) sign
7. He gave an inspiring ........ at the conference.
A) talk B) torque C) took D) tock
8. I will ....... any job offer ....... for the one that requires me to work on weekends.
A) except; accept B) expect; except
C) expect; accept D) accept; except
9. The shareholders are planning to ........ control of the company from the current directors
A) roost B) roast C) wrest D) rest
10. Should we go shopping for a ........ fan for our new house?
A) ceiling B) sea link C) sealing D) selling
11. Ants ........ food during the summer and save it for winter.
A) horde B) hoard C) heard D) herd
12. ........ are words which have the same spelling or pronunciation but not the same meaning.
A) Antonyms B) Synonyms C) Acronyms D) Homonyms
13. Please ........ more sugar to the juice so that it becomes sweeter.
A) add B) aid C) ad D) aide
14. The children enjoyed the ........ very much.
A) fear B) fare C) fere D) fair
15. She wore a beautiful ........ around her neck.
A) collar B) colour C) caller D) cella
16. The comedian's jokes always made people ........ with laughter.
A) role B) roll C) rule D) rowel
17. The artist used a fine ........ to create intricate details in the painting.
A) brush B) brash C) braise D) braze
18. The ........ on the wall was beautifully framed.
A) pitcher B) picture C) picker D) pier
19. The hikers followed the ........ to reach the mountain summit.
A) trial B) trail C) travail D) troll
20. The ship's captain ordered the crew to ........ the sails.
A) hoist B) hoarse C) host D) hose
Key
1-B ; 2-C ; 3-D ; 4-A ; 5-D ; 6-D ; 7-A ; 8-D ; 9-C ; 10-A ; 11-B ; 12-D ; 13-A ;14-D ; 15-A ; 16-B ; 17-A ; 18-B ; 19-B ; 20-A
