Another quiz: Homonyms

This comes from another prof here in Dallas, with a couple more added by me. Reminds me how often students confuse "then" and "than." Answers follow.

1. Government bodies said (A. eminent / B. imminent) domain proceedings were a last resort.

2. Mary said she had an (A. outer-body / B. out-of-body) experience last night.

3. The doctors discussed the merits of (A. preventive medicine / B. preventative medicine).

4. It was a no (A. holes / B. holds) barred discussion.

5. The Ironman competition tests an athlete's (A. mettle / B. metal / C. medal).

6. The river (A. teams / B. teems) with trout.

7. Before it crashed, the plane clipped a (A. guy / B. guide) wire with its wings.

8. It's too early to declare that this team is special. But it can be if given time to (A. jell / gel).

9. Charles Barkley commented on the new design of Allen Iverson’s (A. cornrows / B. cornrolls / C. cornroles).

10. All (A. and / B. in) all, the company’s policies were sufficient.

11. The boss decided the office manager could no longer cut the (A. muster / B. mustard), so the employee was let go.

12. The coach was the one to (A. meet / B. meat / C. mete) out punishment to players who broke rules.



ANSWERS:
1. A. eminent – rising above other things (imminent – likely to happen without delay)
2. B. out-of-body - of or marked by the psychological sensation of perceiving oneself from an external perspective
3. A or B. both are acceptable, although preventive is preferred
4. B. as in wrestling holds
5. A. mettle – quality of one’s character or temperament
6. B. teem – to be full, as though ready to bring forth young; abound; swarm
7. A. guy – a rope, chain or rod attached to something to steady or guide it
8. A or B. both are acceptable
9. A. cornrows – an African hairstyle of tight braids separated by wide parts
10. B. all in all – as a whole, considering everything
11. B. mustard, not to be confused with "pass muster," an old military phrase.
12. C. mete -- to dole out in small doses.