MUSCLE & MUSSEL
MUSCLE
Meaning: Physical power; strength
Example: He had muscle but no brains.
MUSSEL
Meaning: Any of a number of bivalve molluscs (an animal) with a brown or purplish-black shell.
Example: When cool enough to handle, slip the mussels from their shells and set aside.
MANTLE & MANTEL
MANTLE
Meaning: The region of the earth's interior between the crust and the core, believed to consist of hot, dense silicate rocks.
Example: Earthquake waves travel slowly through the hotter regions of the mantle.
MANTEL
Meaning: The finish around a fireplace.
Example: Indian slate makes this fireplace, with its hand-crafted mantel.
MORNING & MOURNING
MORNING
Meaning: The period of time between midnight and noon, especially from sunrise to noon.
Example: I've got a meeting this morning.
MOURNING
Example: By the anniversary of a person's death, mourning is complete.
PAIR & PEAR
PAIR
Meaning: A set of two things used together or regarded as a unit.
Example: ‘a pair of gloves’
Example: She has purchased a pair of socks.
PEAR
Meaning: A sweet yellowish- or brownish-green edible fruit.
Example: Pear is my favourite fruit.
PRESENCE & PRESENTS
PRESENCE
Meaning: The state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present.
Example: My presence in the flat made her happy.
PRESENTS
Meaning: Gifts or donations.
Example: He received many presents on his birthday.
SOLE & SOUL
SOLE
Meaning: The section forming the underside of a piece of footwear.
Example: The join between the upper and the sole.
SOUL
Meaning: The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal.
Example: May her soul rest in peace!
SEE & SEA
SEE
Meaning: Perceive with the eyes; discern visually.
Example: He could see the blue sea.
SEA
Meaning: The expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its land masses.
Example: There is a ban on dumping radioactive wastes in the sea.
WAIT & WEIGHT
WAIT
Meaning: Stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or event.
Example: We're waiting for him to get back.
WEIGHT
Meaning: The heaviness of a person or thing.
Example: He was at least fifty pounds in weight.
WAIST & WASTE
WAIST
Meaning: The part of the human body just below the ribs.
Example: He put an arm around her waist.
WASTE
Meaning: Use or expend carelessly.
Example: We can't afford to waste electricity.
WEATHER & WHETHER
WEATHER
Meaning: The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.
Example: If the weather's good we can go for a walk.
WHETHER
Meaning: Expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives.
Example: It is still not clear whether or not he realises.
Test Your Memory
1. Energy is needed to grow and repair the body's ……for movement. (Mussels/Muscles)
2. Soak the clams and the ……in a big pot of cold water for an hour. (Mussels/Muscles)
3. Because it is less dense than the surrounding……, the magma rises toward the surface. (Mantel/mantle)
4. It was hung over one of the fireplace……. (Mantel/mantle)
5. It was a beautiful sunny……. (Morning/mourning)
6. She's still in ……after the death of her husband. (Morning/mourning)
7. Three ……of shoes. (Pear/pair)
8. Peel the ……and tug out their stalks. (Pear/pair)
9. The ……of chlorine in the atmosphere. (Presents/presence)
10. Her daughter received these ……on her wedding day. (Presents/presence)
11. There was mud between the heel and the……. (Sole/soul)
12. It is common for visitors to pray for the ……of the dead person. (Sole/soul)
13. I am unable to ……any change in him. (See/sea)
14. A ……view. (See/sea)
15. He did not ……for a reply. (Wait/weight)
16. She misjudged the ……of the book and dropped it. (Wait/weight)
17. Her ……has reduced from 35 to 28 inches. (Waste/waist)
18. I don't use the car, so why should I ……precious money on it? (Waste/waist)
19. The forecast is for brighter ……after days of rain. (Weather/whether)
20. He seemed undecided ……to go or stay. (Weather/whether)
Answers
1. Muscles
2. Mussels
3. Mantle
4. Mantels
5. Morning
6. Mourning
7. Pairs
8. Pears
9. Presence
10. Presents
11. Sole
12. Soul
13. See
14. Sea
15. Wait
16. Weight
17. Waist
18. Waste
19. Weather
20. Whether
