Exploring vocabulary - Muschla Gary R. 2012
Trail marker
Easily confused words, III
Some words have similar sounds or spellings but different meanings. These words are easily confused.
1. medal (n): an award
metal (n): a substance such as iron, copper, or gold
2. set (v): to place or put something somewhere
sit (v): to be in an upright position resting on the buttocks; for example, “sitting” in a chair
3. costume (n): clothing worn to imitate a person or animal
custom (n): a usual action; a long-established habit
4. pastor (n): a minister
pasture (n): a grassy field used by grazing animals
5. finale (n): the end
finally (adv): at last; at the end
6. envelop (v): to surround
envelope (n): paper cover for a letter or other materials
7. thorough (adj): complete; careful and exact
through (prep): from beginning to end
8. certain (adj): confident; sure
curtain (n): cloth hung at windows or in doors; a hanging screen on a stage
9. decent (adj): proper; right
descent (n): the act of coming down
10. command (n): an order; (v): to give an order
commend (v): to praise
Vocabulary Tip
When speaking or writing, always pay close attention to easily confused words.
11.1 Trail marker
Pioneers traveling westward on the Oregon Trail through Nebraska used a natural land feature as a trail marker. It marked the end of the Nebraskan plains. What is the name of this land feature?
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.
1. to give an order
E. command
O. commend
2. at last
U. finale
I. finally
3. a grassy field used by cattle for grazing
O. pasture
V. pastor
4. proper; right
Y. decent
C. descent
5. clothing worn to imitate a person or animal
O. custom
H. costume
6. complete
K. thorough
S. through
7. cloth hung at windows or doors
L. certain
N. curtain
8. to place or put something somewhere
M. sit
C. set
9. to surround
R. envelop
D. envelope
10. a substance such as iron, copper, or gold
N. medal
M. metal
