CPP Spelling, Word Usage & Consistency 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly?
- The drug had no affect on her symptoms.
- The new policy will effect how employees work.
- Stress can affect your health and have lasting effects. (Correct answer)
- The effect of the medication effected her mood.
Correct answer: Stress can affect your health and have lasting effects.
'Affect' is a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is usually a noun meaning result, and this sentence uses both correctly.
Question 2: Which word correctly completes this sentence: 'The committee will _____ a new policy next week'?
- adapt
- adopt (Correct answer)
- adept
- adroit
Correct answer: adopt
'Adopt' means to formally accept or take on, which fits the context of a committee accepting a policy.
Question 3: A proofreader notices a document alternates between 'e-mail' and 'email.' What should be done?
- Leave both forms since both are standard.
- Change all instances to 'email' as it is more modern.
- Flag the inconsistency and defer to the style guide or house style. (Correct answer)
- Change all instances to 'e-mail' as it is more formal.
Correct answer: Flag the inconsistency and defer to the style guide or house style.
Proofreaders should flag consistency issues and follow the established style guide rather than imposing personal preference.
Question 4: Which of the following is spelled correctly?
- accomodate
- accommodate (Correct answer)
- acommodate
- acomodate
Correct answer: accommodate
'Accommodate' has double c and double m—a common spelling trap.
Question 5: Which sentence uses 'fewer' and 'less' correctly?
- There are less students enrolled this year.
- We need fewer information to proceed.
- She has fewer errors and less time to fix them. (Correct answer)
- He made less mistakes than expected.
Correct answer: She has fewer errors and less time to fix them.
'Fewer' applies to countable nouns (errors) and 'less' applies to uncountable nouns (time).
Question 6: The word 'principal' vs. 'principle': which sentence is correct?
- The school's main principle is strict discipline.
- The principle reason for the delay was weather.
- The principal concern is accuracy. (Correct answer)
- He violated a cardinal principal of journalism.
Correct answer: The principal concern is accuracy.
'Principal' as an adjective means main or primary; 'principle' is a noun meaning a rule or belief.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses 'complement' vs. 'compliment'?
- The wine was a perfect compliment to the meal.
- She complimented the color scheme of the décor.
- He complemented her on her presentation.
- The sauce complemented the dish beautifully. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The sauce complemented the dish beautifully.
'Complement' means to complete or enhance; 'compliment' means to praise—sauce enhancing a dish uses complement.
CPP Spelling, Word Usage & Consistency 2
Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly?