CTBS - Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills Spelling and Word Structure Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following sentences contains a spelling error?

Accepted Answer

It is a genuine privilige to address you all today.

Answer

The correct spelling is 'privilege.' It is a commonly misspelled word where the second 'i' is often mistakenly replaced with an 'e'. The other sentences use correct spelling for potentially tricky words like 'separate,' 'weird,' and 'accommodate.'

Question 2

In words like 'contradict,' 'contrast,' and 'contrary,' the prefix 'contra-' means:

Accepted Answer

Against

Answer

The Latin prefix 'contra-' means 'against' or 'opposite.' For example, to contradict is to speak against something, and a contrast highlights opposite qualities. 'With' is 'con-', 'before' is 'ante-', and 'around' is 'circum-'.

Question 3

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The manager could not ________ the employee's chronic lateness any longer.'?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge

Answer

The correct spelling is 'acknowledge,' which means to accept or admit the existence or truth of something. The other options are common phonetic misspellings that omit or misplace letters.

Question 4

The suffix '-ful' in words like 'beautiful' and 'wonderful' creates an adjective that means:

Accepted Answer

Full of

Answer

The suffix '-ful' means 'full of' or 'characterized by.' For example, 'beautiful' means full of beauty, and 'wonderful' means full of wonder. The suffix for 'without' is '-less,' for 'the state of being' is often '-ness' or '-ity,' and for 'able to be' is '-able' or '-ible.'

Question 5

From the list below, identify the word that is spelled INCORRECTLY.

Accepted Answer

Definately

Answer

The correct spelling is 'definitely.' A common error is to spell it with an 'a' ('definately'), likely due to its pronunciation. To remember the correct spelling, think of the root word 'finite.'

CTBS - Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills Practice Test

CTBS - Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills Practice Test

CTBS - Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills Spelling and Word Structure Questions and Answers