Write It Right: Which Word is Correct?

I've shared some of Michelle's columns on Write It Right in the past. Michelle works on our Communications team and keeps our employees on their toes when it comes to all things prose. Take this fun quiz to test your “word choice” acumen.


Ah, word choices. We’ve covered a lot of them in this column over the years, including many of the examples in this quiz. Now it’s time to see if you’ve been paying attention! (answers at bottom)

1.He’ll get his just desserts/deserts in the end.
2.We’ll have to grin and bare/bear it just the same.
3.Apple fans have been waiting for the new iPhone with baited/bated breath.
4.The speech struck a chord/cord with many listeners.
5.He commanded a full complement/compliment of soldiers.
6.She didn’t seem fazed/phased by the outcome.
7.This quiz will test your medal/meddle/metal/mettle.
8.The students paid rapt/rapped/wrapped attention to the guest speaker.
9.After all, a friend in need is a friend in deed/indeed.
10.The smoke in the distance peaked/peeked/piqued their interest.
11.It’s a matter of principal/principle.
12.They’ll do better with free reign/rein to complete the project.
13.That new restaurant in Capitol/Capital Hill is great.
14.We pored/poured over the contract all week.
15.The ship floundered/foundered in the storm.

Answers:

1.deserts; only one s in the middle … think “get what you deserve”
2.bear; carry the load
3.bated
4.chord
5.complement; because it's complete
6.fazed
7.mettle; quality of temperament or disposition
8.rapt; wholly absorbed
9.indeed
10.piqued
11.principle; remember “the principal is your pal”
12.rein; “let go of the reins”
13.capitol; a building; think o in dome; but: Denver is the capital of Colorado.
14.pored; to gaze intently
15.foundered; founder means to sink; flounder means to thrash about wildly