TIP # 11: Spelling tips

Not all CAT4/5 tests include this. Although the full version should include them, often schools opt for a shortened version and omit this.

One may think this is just based on your familiarity with the word and that no strategies can really be applied, it may be pointless to prepare for this section. However, because often it features homonym (ie sound-alike) selections, it is important to focus on these in your preparation

Example
Their/There/They’re
•their- ownership
•they’re- they are
•there- location
Example
•Give them (their / there / they’re) things back right away!
•Ownership of things so ‘their’ is correct

1. (Their / There / They’re) textbooks are all in the vault.
2. I can tell that (their / there / they’re) not happy with the results.
3. We can give them (their / there / they’re) things back when they arrive
4. Make sure (their / there / they’re) all accounted for on the bus.
5. We want (their / there / they’re) things to be ready on time.
6. Can you tell if (their / there / they’re) motivated to learn?
7. Is Alice not quite over (their / there / they’re) yet? 

It’s/Its
•The word (its) shows ownership.
•The contraction (it’s) is the combination of the two words (it is).
•Example A: (Its / It’s) color makes the car stand out from the rest.
•Answer: Its

1. I can tell that (its / it’s) made from very well-made material.
2. Do you know if (its / it’s) the answer to the problem?
3. I can tell that (its / it’s) collar is choking the dog.
4. We made (its / it’s) sweater very snug around the neck.
5. Do you know if (its / it’s) going to run or walk?
6. (Its / It’s) been so long since I’ve seen her. (Skye, 2019)

Your/You’re
Make sure you start with you're and un-contract it first
ie you are
The apply it in a sentence
Ignore the other selections

1. I want to show (your / you’re) art piece at the exhibit.
2. Do you know if (your / you’re) mother will make it to the show?
3. Make sure (your / you’re) ready for our vacation next week.
4. Why do (you’re / your) parents not want you to attend the field trip?
5. I want all of (you’re / your) things out by this afternoon.

Affect versus Effect
•Affect is a verb
•Effect is a noun
•
•Example A: What (affect / effect) did your mentor have on you?
•Answer: effect

Practice
1. Will you let the low test score (affect / effect) you?
2. What (affect / effect) are you feeling from the medication?
3. Let me tell you the (affect / effect) of the soda you are drinking.
4. What was the (affect / effect) that the teacher had on you?
5. What (affect / effect) did the hurricane have on the town?


Whom/Whose/Who/Who’s
•Whose is an adjective of possession (Whose books are these?)
•Who’s is short for “who is..noun…. or “who is …verb..ing….? It is the Subject
•Whom is an object Pronoun (E.g. I give it to whom?)

Practice
1. (Who’s / Whom/ Whose) suggesting that we go to the game early?
2. (Who’s / Whom/Whose) going to eat the rest of the potatoes?
3. I am going early, so (who’s / whose) going with me?
4. (Who’s / Whom/ Whose) shoes are those sitting on the ground in the living room?
5. (Who’s / Whose/ Whom) the winner of the championship game?
6. To (Who/Whom/Whose) am I speaking?
7. Is it a person (who/whom/who’s) I know?
8. (Who’s / Whom/ Whose) been eating my chocolates? 

•(Who’s / Whom/ Whose) going to the baseball game tonight?
•Answer Who’s

Then/ Than

•Than is a conjunction to compare
–….er
–more 
–rather 
•Then it is an adverb for order between first and last (similar to ‘next’ or ‘after that’)
•Example A: He is taller (then / than) his older brother.
•Answer: than

Practice
1. Are you faster (then / than) the rest of the players?
2. I am shorter (then / than) you.
3. He went to the dance, (then / than) he went to the movies.
4. I will brush my hair and (then / than) organize my bed.
5. We went fishing and (then / than) went to eat lunch.


Advice/Advise
• •Advice (n)
• a recommendation
•
•Advise (v) 
•to give a recommendation
•
•She gave her best (advice/advise)
•Answer: advice

Practice
1.I would like some advise/advice as to how it is done.
2.In the end she had to advise/advice against it.
3.Where would you advise/advice we go?
4.In the end, she decided it was the only advise/advice she could accept.
•
Adverse/Averse

•adverse
•bad; unfavorable
•
•averse 
•opposed [v] (Sam 2019)
•
•E.g. He was not adverse/averse to giving the proposal more time to consider
•Answer averse

Practice
1.as a former CIA director, he is not averse/adverse to secrecy.
2.It was an adverse/averse play that led to the other team’s goal 
3.The medication had an averse/adverse reaction from everyone
4.He was averse/adverse to all of her political views

Bogus words that often get included in the selection:
•Whosever
•Its’
•Thier
•Taute
•Personel
•Aprise
•Ajacent
•Ingenous