In which I demonstrate that I must have at least SOME qualities of OCD
There's a proper usage of English meme that's going around, so of course I took it. I did okay - got 100% in beginner, intermediate, a 94% or some such in advanced, and not all that well in Expert. (Somewhere in the 70s I believe.)
Of course, being the kind of person that I am, I didn't think: Oh, I wonder what I got wrong? No, it was: There must be something wrong with that test!
Now, I'll be the first to admit that...er... let's just say it's doesn't say good things about my personality that that was my first reaction. But seriously, it wasn't as though I had just missed one or two answers, it was clear that I had missed quite a few.
So, being the (verging on) OCD person that I am, I proceeded to figure out what all the "correct" answers were, according to the test - and surprise surprise - not all of them were totally accurate, or at least they were open to debate.
Link to the test: http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=14457200288064322170
1. The knot she tied was very __________.
loose
lose
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
2. Take a deep __________.
breath
breathe
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
3. She __________ reached her sales goal for the month.
barely
hardly
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
4. I __________ you would study for __________ test.
hope / you're
hope / your
wish / you're
wish / your
5. He __________ to the banquet with Naomi and __________.
gone / I
gone / me
went / I
went / me
6. __________ and __________ left at seven o'clock.
Her / I
Her / me
She / I
She / me
7. __________ impolite to stare.
It's
Its
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
8. __________ were 50 questions on __________ tests.
Their / there
Their / they're
There / their
There / they're
9. They __________ done before __________ time limit expired.
had gotten / their
had gotten / there
got / their
got / there
(Like most of you, I stared at this in utter bafflement for a quite a while. It was pure luck that I managed to hit the correct answer the first time around. It should be, "they finished" OR "they had finished" - either would be correct, depending on the meaning and context of the sentence! It could be, "They finished before their time limit expired. They quickly left the classroom, relieved to be finished with their finals." OR "They had finished before their time limit expired. Relieved to be finished with their finals, they left the classroom." But whatever. Let's ignore this one.)
10. However, __________ smarter __________ you think.
their / than
their / then
they're / than
they're / then
11. The __________ called the student into his office.
Principal
Principle
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
(Am I the only one who STILL thinks of "Your principal is your pal" whenever asked how to spell principal? I know the difference without the Helpful Hint, but it comes to mind automatically.)
12. A motivational speaker was __________ to boost __________.
They're / moral
They're / morale
There / moral
There / morale
13. __________ the actor __________ wife is deaf?
Who's / who's
Who's / whose
Whose / who's
Whose / whose
14. It is __________ for her to __________ criticism.
difficult / accept
difficult / except
hard / accept
hard / except
(Okay. I chose "difficult" here, as that was what sounded more correct and formal to me, and that was the "right" answer. And yes, "difficult" is considered more correct, EVEN THOUGH, according to dictionary definitions, "hard" is perfectly acceptable these days. I wouldn't complain... except that later on, there's another example where one of the words is considered more correct according to official sources, yet the right answer is "both of the above"....)
15. He did not deserve the __________ because he cheated.
medal
meddle
metal
mettle
16. He gets __________ every two weeks, which is __________.
paid / biweekly
paid / semiweekly
payed / biweekly
payed / semiweekly
17. That painting is __________
Invaluable
Priceless
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
I would say that this is wrong. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language actually uses "invaluable paintings" as one of its examples of "invaluable." Yeah, there's a fine difference - or at least, once upon a time there - invaluable meaning that it has such a great value it can be evaluated, whereas priceless means having a value beyond all price. But you know what? I think that both can be applied to paintings, depending on the circumstances. Plus, in other questions, the quiz considers two words as both correct, when in fact, grammatically speaking, if you want to be really proper and stuck-up, only one of them is really considered totally correct.
18. In a lemon meringue pie recipe, you use both the egg whites and the egg __________.
yokes
yolks
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
19. He __________ her on the street in the __________.
passed / passed
passed / past
past / passed
past / past
20. Only bring the __________ essentials on this trip.
bare
bear
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
21. He did not know how to __________ her in that situation.
advice
advise
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
22. She did not want to __________ his poem for fear that it would hurt his feelings.
criticize / criticise
critique
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
23. She __________ the movie before he had __________ it.
saw / saw
saw / seen
seen / saw
seen / seen
24. That is an impressive hand-held __________.
device
devise
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
25. Speeding in your car is __________.
risky
risque
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
26. Her parents bought her the __________ __________ for school.
necessarily / stationary
necessarily / stationery
necessary / stationary
necessary / stationery
27. He is __________ every __________ of the situation.
accessing / aspect
accessing / respect
assessing / aspect
assessing / respect
28. He will __________ her tomorrow.
council
counsel
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
29. I __________ you, this is the best policy to __________ your vehicle.
assure / ensure
assure / insure
ensure / insure
insure / ensure
30. The salad is tasty__ however, the soup tastes even __________.
: / best
: / better
; / best
; / better
31. They __________ her for __________ witchcraft.
hanged / practicing
hanged / practising
hung / practicing
hung / practising
32. The bombing had an adverse __________ on __________ issues.
affect / economic
affect / economical
effect / economic
effect / economical
33. Please stay __________.
a while
awhile
for a while
all of the above
I got this one wrong, but the author of this quiz is actually right; it's okay to use "a while" "awhile" and "for a while" in that sentence. The only think you cannot use is "for awhile". Very interesting. It's always nice to learn something new.
34. He is working __________ his Bachelor's degree, __________ she is pursuing her Master's degree.
toward / while
toward / whilst
towards / while
towards / whilst
Um... ding ding ding - "toward" is also correct. In fact, in American English, it's MORE often used. (Whereas in British English, "towards" is favored.) But everyone seems to agree that both are correct, and that they're pretty much interchangeable. OOPS. (toward/while gives you a wrong answer.)
35. She would not __________ as to __________ stole her money.
enquire / who
enquire / whom
inquire / who
inquire / whom
36. Boat travel makes me __________.
Nauseated
Nauseous
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
And here we come to the question that, if the author is really being all nit-picky about proper usage, totally breaks the pattern. Linky: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/nauseated.html And yes, it's come into modern usage as acceptable by now, the dictionaries say nauseous can be used to mean nauseated, because people have been making the mistake for so long - but in that case, the dictionaries also say that invaluable and priceless can also be used interchangeably these days, so what gives? Consistency, consistency, consistency....
37. The amazing still flight of the hummingbird is a natural __________.
phenomena
phenomenon
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
38. She enjoys smelling and tasting things__ she is a __________ being.
: / sensual
: / sensuous
; / sensual
; / sensous
Sensous is spelled incorrectly in that last example by mistake (I know because you get half credit for clicking on that choice) which means that it's the semicolon that you get marked off for if you choose that last choice. But it would be perfectly correct to use a semicolon in that sentence.
39. That information is __________ to this case.
impertinent
irrelevant
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
Here again, "impertinent" does still officially mean "irrelevent" - so if you're going to be nit-picky about things like that, the answer should be "either a or b"
40. The water from the river flows through the __________ into the ocean.
canal
channel
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
That was officially one of the biggest waste of times I have ever had the misfortune to get sucked into. (Figuring it out was both easier and harder than it might seem. I figured out almost immediately that each of the four pages were marked towards one of the four categories of beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert, so I could test multiple questions at the same time. On the other hand, looking up the answers didn't always help - I could never tell when the quiz was going to be really a really old-fashioned mode or more in a "whatever's used, correct or not" mode.
Anyway. I've been doing a LOT of work on my original writing, which is why my fanfic's been so delayed... but I am working on that too, quite a lot actually. The chapter is becoming very large.... And I can't really split it, or I would just post the first part as the next chapter and wait with the rest.
Of course, being the kind of person that I am, I didn't think: Oh, I wonder what I got wrong? No, it was: There must be something wrong with that test!
Now, I'll be the first to admit that...er... let's just say it's doesn't say good things about my personality that that was my first reaction. But seriously, it wasn't as though I had just missed one or two answers, it was clear that I had missed quite a few.
So, being the (verging on) OCD person that I am, I proceeded to figure out what all the "correct" answers were, according to the test - and surprise surprise - not all of them were totally accurate, or at least they were open to debate.
Link to the test: http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=14457200288064322170
1. The knot she tied was very __________.
loose
lose
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
2. Take a deep __________.
breath
breathe
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
3. She __________ reached her sales goal for the month.
barely
hardly
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
4. I __________ you would study for __________ test.
hope / you're
hope / your
wish / you're
wish / your
5. He __________ to the banquet with Naomi and __________.
gone / I
gone / me
went / I
went / me
6. __________ and __________ left at seven o'clock.
Her / I
Her / me
She / I
She / me
7. __________ impolite to stare.
It's
Its
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
8. __________ were 50 questions on __________ tests.
Their / there
Their / they're
There / their
There / they're
9. They __________ done before __________ time limit expired.
had gotten / their
had gotten / there
got / their
got / there
(Like most of you, I stared at this in utter bafflement for a quite a while. It was pure luck that I managed to hit the correct answer the first time around. It should be, "they finished" OR "they had finished" - either would be correct, depending on the meaning and context of the sentence! It could be, "They finished before their time limit expired. They quickly left the classroom, relieved to be finished with their finals." OR "They had finished before their time limit expired. Relieved to be finished with their finals, they left the classroom." But whatever. Let's ignore this one.)
10. However, __________ smarter __________ you think.
their / than
their / then
they're / than
they're / then
11. The __________ called the student into his office.
Principal
Principle
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
(Am I the only one who STILL thinks of "Your principal is your pal" whenever asked how to spell principal? I know the difference without the Helpful Hint, but it comes to mind automatically.)
12. A motivational speaker was __________ to boost __________.
They're / moral
They're / morale
There / moral
There / morale
13. __________ the actor __________ wife is deaf?
Who's / who's
Who's / whose
Whose / who's
Whose / whose
14. It is __________ for her to __________ criticism.
difficult / accept
difficult / except
hard / accept
hard / except
(Okay. I chose "difficult" here, as that was what sounded more correct and formal to me, and that was the "right" answer. And yes, "difficult" is considered more correct, EVEN THOUGH, according to dictionary definitions, "hard" is perfectly acceptable these days. I wouldn't complain... except that later on, there's another example where one of the words is considered more correct according to official sources, yet the right answer is "both of the above"....)
15. He did not deserve the __________ because he cheated.
medal
meddle
metal
mettle
16. He gets __________ every two weeks, which is __________.
paid / biweekly
paid / semiweekly
payed / biweekly
payed / semiweekly
17. That painting is __________
Invaluable
Priceless
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
I would say that this is wrong. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language actually uses "invaluable paintings" as one of its examples of "invaluable." Yeah, there's a fine difference - or at least, once upon a time there - invaluable meaning that it has such a great value it can be evaluated, whereas priceless means having a value beyond all price. But you know what? I think that both can be applied to paintings, depending on the circumstances. Plus, in other questions, the quiz considers two words as both correct, when in fact, grammatically speaking, if you want to be really proper and stuck-up, only one of them is really considered totally correct.
18. In a lemon meringue pie recipe, you use both the egg whites and the egg __________.
yokes
yolks
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
19. He __________ her on the street in the __________.
passed / passed
passed / past
past / passed
past / past
20. Only bring the __________ essentials on this trip.
bare
bear
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
21. He did not know how to __________ her in that situation.
advice
advise
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
22. She did not want to __________ his poem for fear that it would hurt his feelings.
criticize / criticise
critique
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
23. She __________ the movie before he had __________ it.
saw / saw
saw / seen
seen / saw
seen / seen
24. That is an impressive hand-held __________.
device
devise
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
25. Speeding in your car is __________.
risky
risque
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
26. Her parents bought her the __________ __________ for school.
necessarily / stationary
necessarily / stationery
necessary / stationary
necessary / stationery
27. He is __________ every __________ of the situation.
accessing / aspect
accessing / respect
assessing / aspect
assessing / respect
28. He will __________ her tomorrow.
council
counsel
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
29. I __________ you, this is the best policy to __________ your vehicle.
assure / ensure
assure / insure
ensure / insure
insure / ensure
30. The salad is tasty__ however, the soup tastes even __________.
: / best
: / better
; / best
; / better
31. They __________ her for __________ witchcraft.
hanged / practicing
hanged / practising
hung / practicing
hung / practising
32. The bombing had an adverse __________ on __________ issues.
affect / economic
affect / economical
effect / economic
effect / economical
33. Please stay __________.
a while
awhile
for a while
all of the above
I got this one wrong, but the author of this quiz is actually right; it's okay to use "a while" "awhile" and "for a while" in that sentence. The only think you cannot use is "for awhile". Very interesting. It's always nice to learn something new.
34. He is working __________ his Bachelor's degree, __________ she is pursuing her Master's degree.
toward / while
toward / whilst
towards / while
towards / whilst
Um... ding ding ding - "toward" is also correct. In fact, in American English, it's MORE often used. (Whereas in British English, "towards" is favored.) But everyone seems to agree that both are correct, and that they're pretty much interchangeable. OOPS. (toward/while gives you a wrong answer.)
35. She would not __________ as to __________ stole her money.
enquire / who
enquire / whom
inquire / who
inquire / whom
36. Boat travel makes me __________.
Nauseated
Nauseous
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
And here we come to the question that, if the author is really being all nit-picky about proper usage, totally breaks the pattern. Linky: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/nauseated.html And yes, it's come into modern usage as acceptable by now, the dictionaries say nauseous can be used to mean nauseated, because people have been making the mistake for so long - but in that case, the dictionaries also say that invaluable and priceless can also be used interchangeably these days, so what gives? Consistency, consistency, consistency....
37. The amazing still flight of the hummingbird is a natural __________.
phenomena
phenomenon
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
38. She enjoys smelling and tasting things__ she is a __________ being.
: / sensual
: / sensuous
; / sensual
; / sensous
Sensous is spelled incorrectly in that last example by mistake (I know because you get half credit for clicking on that choice) which means that it's the semicolon that you get marked off for if you choose that last choice. But it would be perfectly correct to use a semicolon in that sentence.
39. That information is __________ to this case.
impertinent
irrelevant
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
Here again, "impertinent" does still officially mean "irrelevent" - so if you're going to be nit-picky about things like that, the answer should be "either a or b"
40. The water from the river flows through the __________ into the ocean.
canal
channel
Either a or b
Neither a nor b
That was officially one of the biggest waste of times I have ever had the misfortune to get sucked into. (Figuring it out was both easier and harder than it might seem. I figured out almost immediately that each of the four pages were marked towards one of the four categories of beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert, so I could test multiple questions at the same time. On the other hand, looking up the answers didn't always help - I could never tell when the quiz was going to be really a really old-fashioned mode or more in a "whatever's used, correct or not" mode.
Anyway. I've been doing a LOT of work on my original writing, which is why my fanfic's been so delayed... but I am working on that too, quite a lot actually. The chapter is becoming very large.... And I can't really split it, or I would just post the first part as the next chapter and wait with the rest.