Q.1
Which is the 'odd one out' here, containing an apparent confusion of two common words that sound the same?
  • We loved the book so much that we booked immediately to see the film, when that came out.
  • She doesn't mean to be mean, but she simply can't afford it.
  • You need to put up that notice somewhere obvious so that people will notice it.
  • As a vegetarian, she hoped to meat a nice young man who didn't eat meet.
Q.2
In this group of sentences, which is the only one WITHOUT a mis-spelling?
  • They need more than one man to man the barrier during the rush-hour.
  • The lion may have the loudest raw, but at least his stomach is also powerful enough to eat his meals raw.
  • The wood is a pretty place to walk, but I wood never go there after dark, nor by myself.
  • It holds the game up unnecessarily if someone chooses to go to the bathroom just as it's there go.
Q.3
In which of these sentences is there NOT a successful double use of the same word?
  • The only thing I hate about the beautiful season of autumn, is when our neighbour's big tree leaves most of its leaves all over our garden pathway.
  • He's tried hard this term, but does not seem to have found his stride in our studies.
  • Ring the bell if you want this bus to stop at the next stop.
  • I'll put a small packet of paper tissues into my little case, in case my cold gets the better of me during the journey.
Q.4
In only ONE of these 'punning pairs' there is a mis-spelling; which one?
  • Her personal coach will accompany her to all her competitions, while she is travelling on the team coach.
  • The only problem with him is that he tends to ball at the team if they don't get enough possession of the ball.
  • While she trains in London she will depend on the trains for her commuting, rather than going by car.
  • Meanwhile we are following her progress, and even doing a bit of spread betting: if our pattern of predicted results matches what happens in the matches, we might even make a bit of money!
Q.5
Each of these 'Answers' contains a pun, but one of them doesn't really work; which one?
  • Of course I can offer you a lift, but I'd rather leave you to lift that baby-seat into the back of the car.
  • I need to keep an eye on the traffic, but why don't the rest of you keep looking ~ and see whether you can spot a good spot for a picnic?
  • 'Waiter, waiter! This coffee tastes like earth!' 'Yes, sir, it was fresh ground only this morning.' (Ancient English music-hall joke)
  • 'Where has the gardener been all day?' 'He's bean digging over the vegetable patch.'
Q.6
Here again there are double uses of words, but ONE of them 'isn't quite right'. (Some people are discussing the potential decoration of a bedroom for an elderly relative who is coming to live there.)
  • If you decorate the room in light colours, she may not need to spend so long (or so much money) having the light on.
  • Or else you could pick a darker shade, but that won't work so well when the trees outside are in leaf during the summer, and the garden will already be in the shade.
  • Another option would be to install a blind; but if she is nearly blind anyway, it won't make much difference to what she can see.
  • You will probably want curtains to keep the warmth in, but are you certain about the colour scheme?
Q.7
In this passage about a lion ~ him, again! ~ there are no fewer than five words containing virtually identical sounds; ONE of them may have been placed, or spelt, wrongly. Pick the Answer which offers the correct correction! 'By the time the poor lion takes a pause from its hunting, the sweat probably comes pouring from the pores in its paws.'
  • No correction is needed.
  • 'Paw' should read 'pore'
  • 'Pause' should read 'paws'
  • 'Pouring' should read 'poring'
Q.8
In which of these sentences is the (attempted) use of a noun as a verb, or vice-versa, NOT normal or understandable English?
  • If that machine really isn't ever going to work properly again, surely it's time we ditched it?
  • Let me have another think over the weekend, would you?
  • I'll suitcase the samples, ready for display at the conference.
  • Jason is hoping to branch out into new areas of the business over the coming few months.
Q.9
A 'final round' of puns (or attempted puns), one of which is decidedly weaker than the rest; which one?
  • If your pet chews the wooden furniture, why not choose stylish metal chairs and tables next time?
  • 'Uncle Brad asked for a particular song to be played at his cremation, called 'Smoke gets in your eyes'; but when we got there the priest refused to allow it, telling us all that it was 'holy inappropriate'.'
  • If your feet are suffering after too much walking and shopping, and you have cracked or blistered heels, try our miracle cream: rub it on night and morning, and damaged skin heals within three days ~ else we promise you your money back!
  • 'They talk about State Education and other institutions like the National Health; but what with the government interfering the whole time, while never yet putting decent money into them, the only state our schools and hospitals are in these days is a disgrace to any civilised country.'
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