Censor / censure / sensor

1. Ministers were ___________ for their lack of decisiveness during the crisis.

2. I have been assured that there is no fault with the temperature ___________ or gauge.

3. Part of his film has been banned by the ___________.

4. His dishonest behaviour came under severe ___________.

5. The letters she received were ___________.

6. The security device has a heat ___________ which detects the presence of people and animals.

CHILLI / CHILLY

1. She was feeling a little _________, so she ate some _________ to warm herself up.

2. Cut the _________ open and remove the seeds.

3. I went to see the sales manager but got an rather _________ reception.

4. The chicken is seasoned with a blend of cayenne, _________, and black and white pepper.

CLIMACTIC / CLIMATIC

1. Some parts of the world seem to be experiencing ____________ changes.

2. She was marvellous in the ____________ sleepwalking scene in Macbeth.

3. And the final ____________ emotional moment is cringe inducing rather than searing moving.

4. Under certain ____________ conditions, desert locusts increase in number.

COMPEL / IMPEL

1. As a schoolboy he was ____________ to wear shorts even in winter.

2. She was in such a mess I felt ____________ to offer your services.

3. I wonder what it is that ____________ him to exercise all the time.

4. A sense of duty ____________ Harry to answer her questions. (s. past)

CURB / KERB

1. Traces of the stone ________ can be seen on the east side.

2. You really need to ________ your spending.

3. Works to raise ________ and improve lighting on the A414 in Danbury will begin on Monday.

4. The police are trying to ________ under-age drinking.

DEMUR / DEMURE

1. The lawyer requested a break in the court case, but the judge ___________.

2. She taught her how to act polite, ___________, obedient and respectful.

3. She gave him a ___________ smile.

4. No, no,’ he ___________, waving his hands in front of his face.

5. She agreed to his request without ___________.

DESPERATE / DISPARATE

1. The two cultures were so utterly ____________ that she found it hard to adapt from one to the other.

2. The situation is ____________ - we have no food, very little water and no medical supplies.

3. For us to succeed it is essential for ____________ groups to work together to achieve these common goals.

4. He seems to have a ____________ need to be loved by everyone.

DOUSE / DOWSE

1. We watched as demonstrators _________ a car with petrol and set it alight.

2. Now he happily _________ for earth-radiation with a pair of rods.

3. This gentleman, a Sea Bee, claimed that he could _________ for gold!

4. He grabbed a thick cloth from his pack, and _________ the torch.

DRAW / DRAWER

1. Jordy had always been a good _________, he could _________ trees amazingly.

2. The museum has turned out to be a big _________ for school children in the city.

3. They discovered a stash of money hidden at the back of a _________.

4. But despite his efforts, it’s not enough: the points are still even and the match is a _________.

ENVELOP / ENVELOPE

1. The graveyard looked ghostly, ____________ in mist.

2. The teacher opened the sealed ____________ containing the exam papers.

3. The children play at hide-and-seek and ____________ themselves in a big sheet.

4. We’re trying to push the ____________ as much as possible.

ESPECIALLY / SPECIALLY

1. He has his shirts made _____________ for him by a tailor in London.

2. She loves flowers, _____________ roses.

3. This kitchen was _____________ designed to make it easy for a disabled person to use.

4. I don't want to be treated _____________.

5. There is nothing _____________ radical about that idea.

6. She can't be sure she will win, _____________ at this early stage of the campaign.

FEWER / LESS

1. _________ than thirty children each year develop the disease.

2. People want to spend _________ time in traffic jams.

3. People these days are buying _________ newspapers.

4. Ironically, when I’m on tour, I listen to _________ music.

5. Heath Square is _________ than four miles away from Dublin city centre.

FINALLY / FINELY

1. I ordered shredded beef in a black bean sauce with __________ sliced leek.

2. After days of searching, the missing child was __________ found.

3. These are among the most __________ made car parts in the industry.

4. She __________ apologized, but she wasn't very graceful about it.

FLAIR / FLARE

1. There was a sudden _________ when she threw the petrol onto the fire.

2. He played with great imagination and _________.

3. She had a _________ for languages.

4. There was a slight _________ at the ends of his trouser legs.

5. Tempers _________ after a three-hour delay at the Airport yesterday.

FOREWORD / FORWARD

1. I recently received an email ____________ from a friend.

2. The ____________ was written by a famous scholar.

3. In other words, having a ____________ view changes what you do in the here and now.

4. In the ____________ to his latest book, the Brazilian author apologises to his readers.

5. But the main thrust of his speech was looking ____________ to the future of British farming.

LAID / LAIN

1. The body had _______ in the field for some time.

2. He took out his gold watch and _______ it ostentatiously on the table in front of him.

3. The dust has _______ undisturbed for years.

4. We’re having a new carpet _______ in the hall next week.

LAST / TAKE

1. How long does your English class ________?

2. How long does it ________ you to finish your homework?

3. My mobile phone battery ________ about three or four days before I have to recharge it.

4. In my car a full tank of petrol ________ me about 6 days.

LOW / SHORT

1. Joseph is quite ________, but his brothers are both really tall.

2. We have a sofa, two armchairs and a ________ table.

3. It’s not fashionable to wear ________ skirts at the moment.

4. The wall is too ________, we need to make it higher so the dog can’t get out.

MINIMAL / NOMINAL

1. There were no injuries and damage to the building was __________.

2. His role, however, was __________, and the group was actually managed by professionals.

3. The government provides electricity, gas, water, and bread at a __________ charge.

4. The kitchen was small and cramped, with __________ counter space and cabinetry.

PASS AWAY / PASS OUT

1. It was sweltering and she _____________ from the heat.

2. After a short illness, he _____________ peacefully in the night.

3. Martin successfully _____________ at the Royal Marines training centre in Devon. (s.p.)

4. He was the first member of my family to _____________ quite young.