Unit 5

What Can I Learn from Realistic Fiction?


Homonyms

The Phantom Tollbooth uses words cleverly, particularly homonyms. Homonyms are words that are said or spelled the same way as other words but have a different meaning. "Write” and “right” or two, to, and too are good examples of homonyms.

Examples:
aisle -  walkway

I'll -  contraction of "I will"

isle -  island

ate - past tense of eat

eight -  the number 8

beat  - to hit

beet -   edible root


board - a plank

bored - not interested


cite - to refer to

sight - vision

site - a location


close -  to shut

clothes - garments


guessed - past tense of guess

guest - a visitor


heal - to cure of disease

heel - hind part of foot


their - belonging to them

there - a place

they're - contraction of "they are"

threw - to propel by hand

through - from end to end


tough - difficult

tuff - a stratified, porous rock


to -  toward

too - also

two - a couple


waist -  between ribs and hips

waste -  make ill use of


wait - remain in readiness

weight -  an amount of heaviness


ware - merchandise

wear - attire

where - a place


weather - meteorological conditions

wether - a neutered ram

whether - if it be the case


yore -  the past

you're - contraction of "you are"

your -  belonging to you



Self-Assessment: Homonyms


Insert the correct word into the sentence below:

1. I was board/bored so I read a book.

2. I lost my sight/site/cite and couldn’t see the painting.

3. I was going to a party and wasn’t sure what close/clothes to wear.

4. I guessed/guest the clue to the mystery.

5. The heal/heel in my sock is worn.

6. Their/They’re/There late to the party.

7. The merchant is selling his wares/wheres/wears.

8. That was a tough/tuff assignment.

9. The weather/wether/whether is rainy today.

10. Yore/your/you’re the best friend I have.