Languages › English as a Second Language Similar Words Quiz for English Learners Do you understand the differences in meaning between these very similar words? Vocabulary. Getty Images English as a Second Language Grammar Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 03, 2019 1. I hope our services ______ your expectations. accede exceed Correct Wrong exceed = be better than expected / accede = gain access to 2. All the children are coming _____ John. accept except Correct Wrong accept = to receive / except = not including 3. The professor was given ______ to materials in the research library. access excess Correct Wrong access = permission to do / excess = too much of 4. Some people feel that his _____ to the President was unnecessary. allusion illusion Correct Wrong allusion = referral to / illusion = mirage, something not true 5. Are we _____ to leave on vacation? all ready already Correct Wrong all ready = to be ready / already = done before a certain time 6. Is there _____ we can put off the meeting until tomorrow? any way anyway Correct Wrong casual = in a relaxed manner / causal = causing something to happen 7. The outcome of the project was entirely _____. He planned every step! casual causal Correct Wrong cease = to stop doing / seize = take control of 8. The police threatened to _____ the faulty goods. cease seize Correct Wrong confidant = someone I tell a secret to / confident = feeling sure about something 9. Jack felt _____ the outcome would be in his favor. confidant confident 10. What are you wearing for your Halloween ______? costume custom Correct Wrong costume = fancy clothing / custom = done especially for something 11. I ordered ______ even though I was already full. desert dessert Correct Wrong desert = dry, sandy, windy land / dessert = something sweet after dinner 12. The lawyer would like to ______ a response from his client. elicit illicit Correct Wrong elicit = get a response / illicit = illegal, naughty 13. Congratulations! You are ______ for the grand prize. eligible illegible Correct Wrong eligible = qualified for something / illegible = unreadable, poorly written, not able to be understood 14. He is an ______ expert in his field. eminent imminent Correct Wrong eminent = very famous and respected / imminent = about to happen 15. I didn't _____ the solution. I just guessed! infer imply Correct Wrong infer = to understand based on context and other clues / imply = to say something that means something else 16. Did they win or _____ the game last week? loose lose Correct Wrong loose = not tight, relaxed fit / lose = the opposite of win 17. His voice made an amazing _____ impression. oral aural Correct Wrong oral = dealing with the mouth / aural = dealing with sound, something you can hear Similar Words Quiz for English Learners You got: % Correct. You Really Know Your Words! You know your English!. Andrew Rich / Vetta / Getty Images Congratulations! It's clear you understand subtle differences in meaning with these words that are very similar. Good job! I'd suggest you keep working by studying idioms and expressions in context, or perhaps you'd like to take another confusing words quiz. Keep up the good work! Share Your Results Similar Words Quiz for English Learners You got: % Correct. You Understand a Fair Share of Words You've done well on your lessons. Anton Violin / Moment / Getty Images It's clear you understand a number of the differences between words that are very similar. Still, there's some work that still needs to be done. Don't worry, you'll understand them all if you keep practicing! You might want to take this confusing words quiz to test some other vocabulary. Share Your Results Similar Words Quiz for English Learners You got: % Correct. These Words are Hard! You'll need to study more!. John Fedele / Blend Images / Getty Images You didn't do very well, but that's OK because these words are really hard! Review the explanations and you'll be on your way to learning more of these words. Build your vocabulary with mindmaps and other tools to help you remember the words you learn! Share Your Results