Spell tricky look-alike words

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Use this

   [1] On Friday the student council asked the principal to extend the library's hours. [2] Members argued that the school's guiding principal of equal access should include evenings. [3] The request was accepted after a short vote. [4] Beginning in March, the library will stay open until six on weekdays. [5] Councilors plan to survey students about the new schedule in June. [6] Teachers will help supervise the study tables.

2. 1.

   Bo proofreads a paragraph about library hours. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

   • Sentence 2: change “access” to “excess”.
   • Sentence 1: change “principal” to “principle”.
   • Sentence 5: change “Councilors” to “Counselors”.
   • Sentence 2: change “principal” to “principle”.

3. Use this

   [1] The art teacher praised the mural's color palette during Monday's critique. [2] She said the warm oranges were a perfect compliment to the cool blues behind them. [3] Students had spent two weeks sketching before anyone touched a brush. [4] Visitors to the hallway often stop to study the details. [5] The principal has asked the class to paint a second wall in the spring.

4. 2.

   Esme proofreads a paragraph about a class mural. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

   • Sentence 1: change “palette” to “palate”.
   • Sentence 5: change “principal” to “principle”.
   • Sentence 2: change “compliment” to “complement”.
   • Sentence 2: change “were” to “where”.

5. Use this

   [1] The detective novel opens with a tense scene in a crowded harbor. [2] A reporter tries to illicit a confession from a nervous dockworker. [3] The dockworker, however, stares at the floor and says nothing. [4] Readers learn later that the man fears for his family's safety. [5] The author lets the suspense build slowly across the next three chapters. [6] By the final page, every clue has found its place.

6. 3.

   Jun proofreads a paragraph about a detective novel. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

   • Sentence 2: change “illicit” to “elicit”.
   • Sentence 3: change “stares” to “stairs”.
   • Sentence 1: change “scene” to “seen”.
   • Sentence 2: change “confession” to “confusion”.

7. Use this

   [1] Ms. Torres, the new debate coach, was surprised by how many students were adverse to speaking in front of a crowd. [2] She had expected eager volunteers for the tournament. [3] Instead, the first meeting began with long silences and nervous glances. [4] Within a month, however, the team had practiced enough to feel confident. [5] Their effect on the judges at the first tournament was remarkable.

8. 4.

   Kira proofreads a paragraph about a debate team. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

   • Sentence 4: change “confident” to “confidant”.
   • Sentence 5: change “effect” to “affect”.
   • Sentence 1: change “adverse” to “averse”.
   • Sentence 1: change “coach” to “couch”.

9. Use this

   [1] A good reporter knows how to be discrete when a source asks for privacy. [2] The staff of the school paper learned this lesson during the fall election. [3] One editor promised not to reveal a name, even when classmates pressed for details. [4] The story ran with a quote but no signature. [5] Readers admired the paper's decision, which preceded a policy change by the board.

10. 5.

    Luz proofreads a paragraph about a school newspaper. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

    • Sentence 1: change “privacy” to “piracy”.
    • Sentence 5: change “preceded” to “proceeded”.
    • Sentence 2: change “lesson” to “lessen”.
    • Sentence 1: change “discrete” to “discreet”.

11. Use this

    [1] Dark clouds gathered over the soccer field just before halftime. [2] The referee, aware that a storm was eminent, called both teams to the sideline. [3] Players grabbed their bags and hurried toward the gym. [4] Within minutes, heavy rain drummed on the roof and flooded the parking lot. [5] Coaches later praised the referee for acting quickly and keeping everyone safe. [6] The game resumed the next afternoon on a dry field.

12. 6.

    Milo proofreads a paragraph about a soccer game. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

    • Sentence 2: change “eminent” to “imminent”.
    • Sentence 2: change “aware” to “beware”.
    • Sentence 4: change “rain” to “reign”.
    • Sentence 5: change “praised” to “prized”.

13. Use this

    [1] The community garden has doubled in size since last spring. [2] Its a project that began with five families and a borrowed shovel. [3] Volunteers now meet every Saturday to plant, weed and water the beds. [4] The garden's success has attracted the attention of the city council. [5] Members hope to add a greenhouse before winter, if the council approves their request. [6] A sign by the gate lists the planting schedule for each bed.

14. 7.

    Noah proofreads a paragraph about a community garden. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

    • Sentence 4: change “council” to “counsel”.
    • Sentence 2: change “Its” to “It's”.
    • Sentence 5: change “their” to “there”.
    • Sentence 2: change “borrowed” to “burrowed”.

15. Use this

    [1] After the fire drill, several students reported confusion about the exit routes. [2] The student counsel met with the principal to propose clearer signs. [3] The principal listened carefully and offered some practical advice. [4] Teachers will walk each class through the new map on Monday. [5] A formal report will precede any change to the building plan. [6] Students will vote on the final design in October.

16. 8.

    Ren proofreads a paragraph about a fire drill. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

    • Sentence 2: change “principal” to “principle”.
    • Sentence 2: change “counsel” to “council”.
    • Sentence 3: change “advice” to “advise”.
    • Sentence 5: change “precede” to “proceed”.

17. Use this

    [1] The school store opens each morning before the first bell. [2] Students can buy pens, notebooks and colorful stationary there. [3] Proceeds from the store support the senior class trip. [4] A volunteer parent keeps the shelves neat and the cash box secure. [5] Last year the store raised enough to cover the cost of the buses. [6] Everything on the shelves is priced under five dollars.

18. 9.

    Tala proofreads a paragraph about the school store. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

    • Sentence 3: change “Proceeds” to “Precedes”.
    • Sentence 2: change “stationary” to “stationery”.
    • Sentence 2: change “pens” to “pins”.
    • Sentence 5: change “cost” to “cast”.

19. Use this

    [1] Before the science fair, each team must submit a short written proposal. [2] The proposal should describe the question, the materials and the safety plan. [3] A brief safety talk will proceed every experiment in the lab. [4] Judges will examine the projects on Thursday afternoon. [5] Winners will receive ribbons and a chance to present at the district fair. [6] Teams should practice speaking clearly and calmly.

20. 10.

    Zee proofreads a paragraph about a science fair. Which numbered sentence has the wrong word, and what fixes it?

    • Sentence 2: change “plan” to “plain”.
    • Sentence 3: change “safety” to “safely”.
    • Sentence 3: change “proceed” to “precede”.
    • Sentence 5: change “fair” to “fare”.