Exploring vocabulary - Muschla Gary R. 2012

Signer of the Constitution and President
Easily confused words, II

Some words have similar sounds or spellings but different meanings. These words are easily confused.

1. human (adj): of or relating to a person

humane (adj): kind

2. loose (adj): not tight

lose (v): to misplace; to be unable to find; to fail to win

3. expect (v): to look for a thing to happen

suspect (n): a person thought to have committed a crime; (v): to mistrust

4. farther (adv): at or to a greater distance

further (adv): to a greater extent; more

5. adapt (v): to adjust to new conditions

adopt (v): to take into one’s own family by choice

6. advice (n): a suggestion

advise (v): to give advice

7. angel (n): a spiritual being

angle (n): a figure formed by two lines that meet at a point

8. alley (n): a narrow street

ally (n): a supporter; friend

9. wear (v): to carry or have on, for example, clothing

were (v): a form of the verb be; existed

10. quiet (adj): silent; having little noise; calm

quit (v): to stop

quite (adv): completely; entirely; really

Vocabulary tip

Keeping a list of words you find confusing can help you remember them.

10.1 Signer of the Constitution and President

Of the 39 men who signed the Constitution, only 2 went on to become president. One was George Washington. Who was the other?

To answer the question, match each definition with its word. Choose your answers from the words that follow each definition. Write the letter of each answer in the space above its definition number at the bottom of the page. You will need to divide the letters into words. Some letters are provided.

1. a suggestion

I. advise

O. advice

2. more; to a greater extent

S. further

T. farther

3. having little noise

J. quit

M. quite

E. quiet

4. a spiritual being

F. angle

M. angel

5. to misplace

M. lose

N. loose

6. a supporter

J. ally

T. alley

7. to adjust to new conditions

K. adopt

D. adapt

8. a form of the verb be; existed

I. were

O. wear

9. to mistrust

S. expect

N. suspect

10. of or relating to a person

A. human

O. humane