Homonym Answer Key

1. It's a fine day for a picnic.
   
   It's = the contraction for it is
   its =indicates possession.
   
   Think of the apostrophe as the missing “i” to help you remember that
   it's = it is.
    
2. A spokesperson declined to say whether major announcements are planned.
   
   whether – suggests two alternatives
   weather – state of the atmosphere with respect to heat, rain, etc.
    
3. The drug company will add a stronger warning to its labels about the risks of some ingredients.
   
   It's – the contraction for it is
   its – indicates possession; belongs to “it”
    
4. This German election resembles more than/then ever an American presidential contest.
   
   than – indicates a comparison
   then – indicates succession in time, or what follows: “First do your chores, then you may play.”
    
5. Democrats want to focus on their winning issue: the economy.
   
   their – indicates possession; belongs to “they”
   they're – the contraction meaning “they are”
    
6. I disagree with the view that President Abraham Lincoln was not wholly committed to ending slavery.
   
   wholly – entirely
   holy – sacred
    
7. Defendants in the case want records sealed to hide their bad behavior.
   
   their – indicates possession; belongs to “they”
   there– indicates a place; “Take me there.”
    
8. Consumer advocates have long argued that the public is harmed when courts are too willing to allow secret settlements.
   
   too – to an excess, or else a word meaning “also”;
   “I want ice-cream, too.”
   to – a preposition
    
9. Each case should be evaluated on an individual basis to know, after having reviewed the evidence, whether a protective order is necessary.
   
   whether – suggests two alternatives
   weather – state of the atmosphere with respect to heat, rain, etc.
    
10. That old television has seen the last of its days.
    
    It's = the contraction for it is
    its =indicates possession.
     
11. People who don't know they're infected could inadvertently donate tainted blood.
    
    their – indicates possession; belongs to “they”
    they're – the contraction meaning “they are”
     
12. There is no way to know how much of the nation's blood supply is tainted by the virus.
    
    no – indicates negation
    know – to comprehend or understand
     
13. Consumers lost confidence in the food supply, and tourism was severely curtailed, too.
    
    too – to an excess, or else a word meaning “also”;
    “I want ice-cream, too.”
    to – a preposition
     
14. Around here, you're hard-pressed to find anyone who has heard of last year's pie-eating contest winner.
    
    your –belongs to “you”
    you're – the contraction of “you are”
    
    herd – a group of animals
    heard –past tense of “hear”
     
15. This comic book contains many allusions to the Bible.
    
    allusion – a literary reference
    illusion – a visual deception
     
16. The scam artist, who had cheated countless senior citizens out of their pension funds, had no conscience.
    
    conscience – an internalized sense of moral justice
    conscious – alert, awake
     
17. Whose/who's car is that blocking the driveway?
    
    whose – indicates possession; belongs to “who”
    who's – a contraction meaning “who is”
     
18. I can't believe I ate the whole thing.
    
    whole – entire
    hole – a pit or break
     
19. This box is far too heavy for me to carry by myself.
    
    too – to an excess, or else a word meaning “also”
    to – a preposition
    two – the number 2
     
20. Fewer than one fourth/forth of the residents in this remote place own a television.
    
    fourth – 4^th
    forth - onward
     
21. Didn't you hear me? I said bring that over here.
    
    hear – to perceive by the ear
    here – indicates place
     
22. I'll take that remark about my new hair cut as a compliment/complement.
    
    compliment – a flattering word or comment
    complement – to fill up complete; or something that fills up or completes something else
     
23. Although the sound of Shakespeare's language thrilled her, Denisha pretended to be bored during the teacher's reading of Lady Macbeth's monologue.
    
    board – a piece of wood
    bored – uninterested
     
24. Money can't buy/bye you love.
    
    buy – to purchase
    bye – a word said in parting
     
25. The shrine to the Virgin Mother is a holy/wholly place.
    
    wholly – completely or entirely
    holy – sacred
     
26. In this is a picture of Hurricane Isidore, seen from a weather plane at an altitude of 7,000 feet, you can see the eye of the storm.
    
    whether – suggests two alternatives
    weather – state of the atmosphere with respect to heat, rain, etc.
     
27. A few patients who complain of muscle aches when taking the drugs may be suffering from a toxic side effect.
    
    affect – to influence
    effect – a result or consequence
     
28. Neglect during infancy has lasting effects on an individual's emotional health.
    
    affect – to influence
    effect – a result or consequence
     
29. The media directly affects the incidence of eating disorders among teenage girls.
    
    affect – to influence
    effect – a result or consequence
     
30. Everything comes included for the list price of this car except air-conditioning.
    
    except—aside from
    accept – to willingly receive or embrace
     
31. He was willing to accept divorce, but the hefty settlement made it easier to accept gracefully.
    
    except—aside from
    accept – to willingly receive or embrace
     
32. I used to feel blue whenever it rained, but now that I have a neon pink slicker, I look forward to showers.
    
    used to is the correct version
     
33. Those who feel that you're not supposed to color outside of the lines tend to have parents who stifled their creativity at a very young age.
    
    your –belongs to “you”
    you're – the contraction of “you are”
    
    supposed to is the correct version; suppose to does not exist in Standard Written English
     
34. Bubba knew he should not have not have driven after drinking, but he convinced himself that five beers would not affect his motor control.
    
    should have is the correct version; should of does not exist in Standard Written English
    
    affect – to influence
    effect – a result or consequence
     
35. Brook could have been a contender for the national arm-wrestling championship, but she decided instead to devote herself to competitive arm-wrestling.
    
    could have is the correct version; could of does not exist in Standard Written English