IEO Spelling and Word Formation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Identify the correctly spelled word:
- Reccomend
- Recommend (Correct answer)
- Recomend
- Recommened
Correct answer: Recommend
The correct spelling is 'Recommend' — with one 'c' and double 'm'.
'Recommend' is often misspelled with double 'c' by analogy with 'accommodate'. The correct spelling has: single c, double m: r-e-c-o-m-m-e-n-d. Memory trick: 'I recommend one cup of coffee in the morning' (one c). This distinguishes it from 'accommodate' which has two c's.
Question 2: Which word formation is CORRECT for the adjective form of 'beauty'?
- Beautyful
- Beautifull
- Beautiful (Correct answer)
- Beautful
Correct answer: Beautiful
When forming adjectives from nouns ending in 'y', change 'y' to 'i' and add '-ful': beauty → beautiful.
In English word formation, when a word ends in 'consonant + y', change 'y' to 'i' before adding a suffix: beauty → beautiful, fancy → fanciful. Note also: '-ful' as a suffix is spelled with a single 'l' (not 'full'): beautiful, careful, hopeful, powerful.
Question 3: Choose the CORRECTLY spelled word:
- Mischevious
- Mischeivous
- Mischievous (Correct answer)
- Mischeivious
Correct answer: Mischievous
The correct spelling is 'Mischievous' — note it is three syllables, not four: mis-chie-vous.
'Mischievous' is commonly mispronounced and misspelled as 'mischievious' (four syllables). The correct spelling comes from 'mischief' + '-ous': m-i-s-c-h-i-e-v-o-u-s. It has three syllables: mis-chie-vous. The 'ie' comes from 'mischief'; do not add an extra 'i' before '-ous'.
Question 4: Which sentence contains a SPELLING error?
- She gave a sincere apology.
- The principle of the school arrived. (Correct answer)
- The experiment yielded interesting results.
- Her behavior was exemplary.
Correct answer: The principle of the school arrived.
'Principle' means a fundamental rule or truth. The head of a school is a 'Principal'. This is a common spelling/usage confusion.
This question tests commonly confused homophones. 'Principal' (ending in -al) refers to: (1) the head of a school, (2) main/most important. 'Principle' (ending in -le) refers to a fundamental rule or belief. Memory trick: 'The principal is your pal' (principal ends in -pal). Example: 'The principal explained the school's principles.'
Question 5: Choose the correct word formed by adding the prefix 'un-' to 'necessary':
- Unnecesary
- Unecessary
- Unnecessary (Correct answer)
- Unnessecary
Correct answer: Unnecessary
The prefix 'un-' is added directly to 'necessary', maintaining all letters: un + necessary = unnecessary (double 'n' at the join).
When adding the prefix 'un-' to 'necessary', no letters are dropped. 'Necessary' is spelled: n-e-c-e-s-s-a-r-y (one 'c', double 's'). Adding 'un-' gives: u-n-n-e-c-e-s-s-a-r-y. The double 'n' occurs because the prefix ends in 'n' and the base word starts with 'n'.
Question 6: Identify the correct spelling:
- Liason
- Liaison (Correct answer)
- Liasion
- Liaisson
Correct answer: Liaison
The correct spelling is 'Liaison' — a commonly misspelled word of French origin.
'Liaison' comes from French and means communication or cooperation between groups. Its unusual spelling confuses many: l-i-a-i-s-o-n. Note the pattern: after 'l', the letters go i-a-i (two 'i's separated by 'a'). Meaning: A liaison officer acts as a link between two organizations.
IEO Spelling and Word Formation 2
Identify the correctly spelled word: