Homonym Meaning Context Quiz

1. What does "bark" mean in the sentence: "The bark on the old oak tree was rough and deeply ridged."

The outer layer of a tree's trunk.

The sound a dog makes.

A boat or ship.

To shout an order.

The context of the 'old oak tree' and 'ridged' surface indicates the outer layer of the trunk.

Explanation

The context of the 'old oak tree' and 'ridged' surface indicates the outer layer of the trunk.

2. In the sentence, "The wedding band played slow jazz all night," the word band means a musical _______.

The reference to 'played slow jazz' indicates the word band means a musical ensemble.

Explanation

The reference to 'played slow jazz' indicates the word band means a musical ensemble.

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3. In the sentence, "I need to address the envelope before mailing the letter," the word address means to speak to a crowd.

True

False

This is false. In this context, address means to write the destination on the envelope.

Explanation

This is false. In this context, address means to write the destination on the envelope.

4. What does "right" mean in the sentence: "Please turn right at the next traffic light."

Correct or proper.

A political or moral entitlement.

A direction (opposite of left).

A legal document.

The context of 'turn' and 'traffic light' indicates the word right means the direction.

Explanation

The context of 'turn' and 'traffic light' indicates the word right means the direction.

5. What does "ring" mean in the sentence: "The telephone began to ring loudly at midnight." (Select all that apply)

A piece of jewelry worn on the finger.

A continuous, resonant sound.

To call someone on the phone.

A circular band or object.

The reference to the 'telephone' suggests both the sound it makes (a resonant sound) and the action of calling someone.

Explanation

The reference to the 'telephone' suggests both the sound it makes (a resonant sound) and the action of calling someone.

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6. In the sentence, "The students need to match their sentences to the correct definitions," the word match means to pair or join two things that _______.

The context of pairing sentences to definitions indicates the word match means to pair or join two things that correspond.

Explanation

The context of pairing sentences to definitions indicates the word match means to pair or join two things that correspond.

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7. What does "ruler" mean in the sentence: "The king was a generous ruler for twenty years."

A straight-edged tool used for measuring.

A person who governs or leads a country.

A small fish found in tropical waters.

A large, ancient structure.

The context of 'king' and 'twenty years' indicates ruler means a person who governs.

Explanation

The context of 'king' and 'twenty years' indicates ruler means a person who governs.

8. In the sentence, "We ate the last date from the box," the word date means an appointment with a person.

True

False

This is false. The context of 'ate' and 'box' indicates date means a sweet, edible fruit.

Explanation

This is false. The context of 'ate' and 'box' indicates date means a sweet, edible fruit.

9. What does "play" mean in the sentence: "Shakespeare wrote many famous plays."

To engage in an activity for enjoyment.

A dramatic performance on a stage.

To manipulate or handle something casually.

To perform a musical instrument.

The reference to 'Shakespeare wrote' indicates play means a dramatic performance on a stage.

Explanation

The reference to 'Shakespeare wrote' indicates play means a dramatic performance on a stage.

10. What does "light" mean in the sentence: "The feather was incredibly light and drifted easily in the air." (Select all that apply)

Illumination or brightness.

Pale in color.

Having little weight.

To set something on fire.

The context ('feather' and 'drifted easily') indicates the feather had little weight (C) and implies it was pale in color (B).

Explanation

The context ('feather' and 'drifted easily') indicates the feather had little weight (C) and implies it was pale in color (B).

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11. In the sentence, "We must train the puppy not to chew on the furniture," the word train is used as a verb meaning to teach or _______.

Used as a verb modifying the puppy, train means to teach or instruct.

Explanation

Used as a verb modifying the puppy, train means to teach or instruct.

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12. What does "crane" mean in the sentence: "A huge crane lifted the steel beam to the top floor of the skyscraper."

A long-legged wading bird.

To stretch one's neck to see something.

A machine used for lifting heavy materials.

To collapse or fall down.

The context of 'steel beam' and 'skyscraper' indicates crane means a machine used for lifting.

Explanation

The context of 'steel beam' and 'skyscraper' indicates crane means a machine used for lifting.

13. In the sentence, "I need to press the clothes before the interview," the word press means to push down firmly on a button.

True

False

This is false. The context of 'clothes' indicates press means to smooth out with an iron.

Explanation

This is false. The context of 'clothes' indicates press means to smooth out with an iron.

14. What does "tire" mean in the sentence: "One tire on the bicycle had gone completely flat."

To become physically exhausted.

The rubber hoop around a wheel.

A feeling of boredom or fatigue.

To wear down over time.

The context of 'bicycle' and 'flat' indicates tire means the rubber hoop around a wheel.

Explanation

The context of 'bicycle' and 'flat' indicates tire means the rubber hoop around a wheel.

15. What does "scale" mean in the sentence: "She had to scale the high, rocky wall to reach the peak." (Select all that apply)

To climb up or over.

A series of musical notes.

A dish or tray used to weigh objects.

To remove the outer coating (like fish skin).

The context of 'high, rocky wall' and 'reach the peak' indicates scale means to climb up or over.

Explanation

The context of 'high, rocky wall' and 'reach the peak' indicates scale means to climb up or over.

16. In the sentence, "Please leave the package on the front step," the word leave means to place or _______.

Used as a verb modifying 'the package,' leave means to place or deposit something.

Explanation

Used as a verb modifying 'the package,' leave means to place or deposit something.

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17. What does "pool" mean in the sentence: "The students decided to pool their money to buy a collective gift."

A body of water for swimming.

To combine or share a resource.

A game played with balls and cues.

A puddle of standing water.

The context of 'money to buy a collective gift' indicates pool means to combine or share a resource.

Explanation

The context of 'money to buy a collective gift' indicates pool means to combine or share a resource.

18. In the sentence, "He received a small present for his birthday," the word present means to give a speech to an audience.

True

False

This is false. The context of 'received' and 'birthday' indicates present means a gift.

Explanation

This is false. The context of 'received' and 'birthday' indicates present means a gift.

19. What does "bow" mean in the sentence: "He tied a large decorative bow around the gift box."

To bend the head or body in greeting.

The front end of a ship.

A knot with two loops.

A weapon for shooting arrows.

The context of 'tied' and 'gift box' indicates bow means a knot with two loops.

Explanation

The context of 'tied' and 'gift box' indicates bow means a knot with two loops.

20. What does "suit" mean in the sentence: "Does this color suit my skin tone well?" (Select all that apply)

A coordinated set of clothing.

To be appropriate or convenient for.

A legal case brought to a court.

To harmonize with or flatter.

Used as a verb, suit means to be appropriate or convenient for (B) and to harmonize with or flatter (D).

Explanation

Used as a verb, suit means to be appropriate or convenient for (B) and to harmonize with or flatter (D).

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Sound-Alikes: Using Context to Determine the Meaning of a Homonym Quiz