Spelling Correction — Set 9
Questions 81–90 of 100
Identify the correctly spelled word meaning 'to make something legally valid or acceptable':
Correct Answer: A. Legalize
'Legalize' is the American English standard form while 'legalise' is the British English equivalent. Both are correct in their respective varieties of English. 'Legalyze' and 'legalice' are not correct in any standard variety. In international competitive exams, 'legalize' is the widely recognized form.
Which is correctly spelled meaning 'the study of signs and symbols'?
Correct Answer: A. Semiotics
'Semiotics' is correctly spelled as s-e-m-i-o-t-i-c-s. It refers to the study of signs, symbols, and their interpretation. 'Semeiotics' adds an unnecessary extra 'e', 'semiotiks' changes 'cs' to 'ks', and 'semeotis' is a corruption of the correct form. The word comes from Greek 'semeion' meaning sign.
Select the correctly spelled word meaning secret monitoring:
Correct Answer: C. Surveillance
The correct spelling is 'surveillance' — s-u-r-v-e-i-l-l-a-n-c-e. It comes from French 'surveiller' (to watch over). The double 'l' and the 'ei' combination make it tricky. It ends in '-lance'. This is a challenging SSC vocabulary and spelling word. Remember: sur-veil-lance.
Identify the correctly spelled military/intelligence term:
Correct Answer: C. Reconnaissance
The correct spelling is 'reconnaissance' — r-e-c-o-n-n-a-i-s-s-a-n-c-e. It has double 'n' and double 's'. This French-origin military word means preliminary survey of enemy positions. The word is a classic premium spelling challenge. Remember: recon-nais-sance.
Which is correctly spelled for the word meaning 'widespread chaos or destruction'?
Correct Answer: B. Havoc
'Havoc' is correctly spelled as h-a-v-o-c. It means widespread destruction or damage. 'Havok' replaces the final 'c' with 'k', 'havock' adds an unnecessary 'k' after 'c', and 'havvoc' doubles the 'v' incorrectly. The word entered English from Old French 'havot'.
Select the correctly spelled word meaning extremely careful and thorough:
Correct Answer: C. Conscientious
The correct spelling is 'conscientious' — c-o-n-s-c-i-e-n-t-i-o-u-s. It contains the word 'science' within it: con-SCIEN-tious. The word means wishing to do what is right. This is one of the hardest words to spell in English. Remember: con-sci-en-tious.
Which is correctly spelled for the word meaning 'expressing strong disapproval or condemnation'?
Correct Answer: A. Condemnatory
'Condemnatory' is correctly spelled as c-o-n-d-e-m-n-a-t-o-r-y. The silent 'n' in 'condemn' is retained when '-atory' is added. 'Condemnetory' changes the connecting vowel, 'condemnetary' alters the suffix, and 'condenatory' drops the 'm'. Silent letters in base words are retained in derived forms.
Identify the correctly spelled word meaning 'to dedicate something to a sacred purpose':
Correct Answer: A. Consecrate
'Consecrate' is correctly spelled as c-o-n-s-e-c-r-a-t-e. It means to make something sacred or to dedicate it to a holy purpose. 'Consacrate' changes 'e' to 'a' in the second syllable, 'consecrete' changes 'a' to 'e' in the suffix, and 'consocrate' changes the 'e' to 'o'.
Which is correctly spelled for the word meaning 'a long aggressive or forceful speech'?
Correct Answer: A. Harangue
'Harangue' is correctly spelled as h-a-r-a-n-g-u-e. The silent 'u' before 'e' is characteristic of French-origin English words ending in '-gue'. 'Harange' drops the silent 'u', 'harrangue' doubles the 'r', and 'haranque' substitutes 'q' for 'g'. The '-gue' ending is shared with 'vague', 'plague', 'league'.
Select the correctly spelled word meaning 'without intention':
Correct Answer: C. Inadvertently
The correct spelling is 'inadvertently' — i-n-a-d-v-e-r-t-e-n-t-l-y. The root is 'inadvertent' meaning unintentional, plus '-ly'. The 'e' before 'nt' is the tricky part (not 'a' or 'i'). This is a high-difficulty vocabulary and spelling word. Remember: in-advert-ent-ly.