English Spelling Oddities
1 / 15English spelling is famously irregular and full of surprises. Test your knowledge of the strangest spelling quirks in the language!
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
The word 'queue' is unusual because how many of its letters are silent?
About English Spelling Oddities
Give your memory a workout with English Spelling Oddities: 15 multiple-choice questions aimed at mixed difficulty, free to play right in your browser. English spelling is famously irregular and full of surprises. Test your knowledge of the strangest spelling quirks in the language! Expect to spend about 7 minutes; every question comes with an explanation, so you learn something even when you miss.
A few sample questions
1. The word 'queue' is unusual because how many of its letters are silent?
Answer: Four
2. Which word contains all five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) in alphabetical order?
Answer: Facetious
3. In the word 'colonel', the letter 'l' is pronounced like which letter?
Answer: R
4. Which common English word has the most consecutive consonants?
Answer: Strengths
5. The 'gh' in 'enough' is pronounced like 'f'. In which word is 'gh' completely silent?
Answer: Though
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my progress if I close the page?
Your overall progress — XP, streaks, and badges — is saved in your browser automatically. A quiz that's underway restarts if you leave mid-game, but at about 7 minutes, English Spelling Oddities fits comfortably in one sitting.
How many questions are in English Spelling Oddities?
English Spelling Oddities has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is English Spelling Oddities free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including English Spelling Oddities — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does English Spelling Oddities take?
Most players finish English Spelling Oddities in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
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