0011 Apply Knowledge of Mechanical Conventions in Standard English

Identify Misspelled Words in a Sentence or Passage

There are some spelling situations that occur frequently and can normally (there are some exceptions, which are rare) be answered correctly by the application of the following rules.

Rule 1: Words with an ei or ie sequence:

Examples: belief and freight

a) If the word is pronounced with the long e sound, use ie except after the letter c; then use ei.

b) If the word in not pronounced with the long e, use ei.

1) For each of the words listed below, select the correct spelling. Click here when you are finished.

Rule 2: Words ending with the letter y which require adding a suffix.

Examples, changing silly to silliness, or changing try to trying

a) If the suffix is “ing” just affix "ing" to the word.

Example: try becomes trying

b) If the suffix is not "ing," change the y to i .

Example: try becomes tried

2) Select the correct spelling for adding the following suffixes. Click here when you are finished.

Rule 3: Words which are plurals.

For example, the plural of match is matches.

a) If the plural involves no more syllables, add s.

b) If the plural involves one more syllable, add es.

3) Select the correct spelling for adding the following plurals. Click here when you are finished.

Rule 4: Words needing a suffix.

Example: occur is changed to occurring

If the word ends with a single vowel and then a consonant, and the last syllable of the word is accented, then double the final consonant and affix the suffix.

Example: confer is changed to conferred

4) Select the correct spelling for adding the following suffixes. Click here when you are finished.

This completes the instructional portion (0006-0011) for the multiple-choice section of the VCLA Writing subtest.

This would be a good time to take one of the four Practice Writing Tests. Click on that heading on the left-hand menu.

If you would like to begin the instructional sections on revising sentences, writing a summary, and writing an essay, click the Next button or select one of the left-hand headings labeled, "0012 Analyzing and Revising Sentences," "0013 Produce a Written Summary," or "0014 Prepare an Organized, Developed Composition."

Previous

Next