CEC Word Usage & Vocabulary 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses 'further' or 'farther'?
- We need to look into this matter farther before making a final decision.
- The revision required further changes to the introduction section. (Correct answer)
- The office is further down the road than the map suggested.
- She could not walk any further because of the blisters on her feet.
Correct answer: The revision required further changes to the introduction section.
'Further' is used for figurative or abstract distance and means 'additional,' making B correct; 'farther' is reserved for measurable physical distance.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses 'imply' versus 'infer'?
- The data infers that sales will increase significantly next quarter.
- The author implied in her introduction that the results were inconclusive. (Correct answer)
- What can you imply from the editor's marginal comments on the draft?
- The statistics imply a positive trend, but the analyst infers the opposite.
Correct answer: The author implied in her introduction that the results were inconclusive.
'Imply' means to suggest or hint (speakers and writers imply); 'infer' means to draw a conclusion from evidence (readers and listeners infer); B correctly has the author implying something.
Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses 'assure,' 'ensure,' or 'insure'?
- Please insure that all supporting documents are properly labeled.
- The editor assured the author that revisions would be minimal. (Correct answer)
- We need to ensure the cargo against loss during international shipping.
- The publisher assured that the manuscript would be reviewed by Friday.
Correct answer: The editor assured the author that revisions would be minimal.
'Assure' means to give confidence to a specific person, 'ensure' means to make certain something happens, and 'insure' refers to financial protection; B correctly uses 'assured' with a person as its object.
Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses 'principal' versus 'principle'?
- The company's principle asset is its extensive intellectual property portfolio.
- The editor adhered to the principle of clarity above all stylistic concerns. (Correct answer)
- She is a woman of strong principals and rarely compromises her standards.
- The principal of causality is fundamental to the study of natural science.
Correct answer: The editor adhered to the principle of clarity above all stylistic concerns.
'Principle' is a noun meaning a fundamental rule or belief; 'principal' refers to a primary person, thing, or amount; B correctly uses 'principle' as a rule or standard.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses 'complement' versus 'compliment'?
- The author complimented the introduction with additional supporting statistics.
- The editor gave the writer a complement on her beautifully revised draft.
- The illustration complements the text by providing essential visual context. (Correct answer)
- The crisp white wine was a perfect compliment to the seafood entrée.
Correct answer: The illustration complements the text by providing essential visual context.
'Complement' means to complete or enhance, while 'compliment' means to praise; C correctly uses 'complements' to mean the illustration enhances the text.
Question 6: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier that a copyeditor should correct?
- Running late, the editor quickly reviewed the final draft before the deadline.
- Having reviewed the manuscript, the editor returned it with detailed notes.
- Walking to the conference, the weather suddenly turned stormy and cold. (Correct answer)
- Exhausted after the deadline, the entire team celebrated their shared success.
Correct answer: Walking to the conference, the weather suddenly turned stormy and cold.
In C, the participial phrase 'Walking to the conference' dangles because 'the weather' cannot walk—the phrase must logically refer to the subject of the main clause.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses 'disinterested' versus 'uninterested'?
- The student was disinterested in the lecture and kept checking his phone.
- We need a disinterested party to mediate the contract dispute fairly. (Correct answer)
- The editor seemed uninterested in maintaining her role as an impartial reviewer.
- An uninterested judge is essential to ensure a fair and unbiased trial.
Correct answer: We need a disinterested party to mediate the contract dispute fairly.
'Disinterested' means impartial or without personal stake in the outcome; 'uninterested' means lacking interest or bored; B correctly uses 'disinterested' to mean impartial.
CEC Word Usage & Vocabulary 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'further' or 'farther'?