English Spelling Oddities

Name:

Date:

Instructions: English spelling is famously irregular and full of surprises. Test your knowledge of the strangest spelling quirks in the language!

1.
The word 'queue' is unusual because how many of its letters are silent?
A
Four
B
Three
C
One
D
Two
2.
Which word contains all five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) in alphabetical order?
A
Beautiful
B
Sequential
C
Education
D
Facetious
3.
In the word 'colonel', the letter 'l' is pronounced like which letter?
A
R
B
N
C
L
D
D
4.
Which common English word has the most consecutive consonants?
A
Handspring
B
Catchphrase
C
Strengths
D
Matchstick
5.
The 'gh' in 'enough' is pronounced like 'f'. In which word is 'gh' completely silent?
A
Cough
B
Though
C
Laugh
D
Rough
6.
Which letter in the word 'Wednesday' is silent?
A
The first 'e'
B
The first 'd'
C
The 'y'
D
The 'a'
7.
The word 'rhythm' is unusual because it lacks which type of letter?
A
Capital letters
B
Vowels (a, e, i, o, u)
C
Consonants
D
Silent letters
8.
How is the 'ough' combination pronounced in the word 'through'?
A
Like 'off'
B
Like 'ow'
C
Like 'oo'
D
Like 'uff'
9.
Which word is spelled with a double 'c' where each 'c' makes a different sound?
A
Raccoon
B
Accident
C
Acclaim
D
Account
10.
The word 'receipt' has a silent letter. Which one?
A
The 'i'
B
The 'p'
C
The 'e'
D
The 't'
11.
Which of these words breaks the 'i before e except after c' rule?
A
Weird
B
Receive
C
Deceit
D
Ceiling
12.
In the word 'psychology', which letters are silent?
A
The 'p' only
B
The 'h' only
C
The 'c' and 'h'
D
The 'p' and 'y'
13.
Which English word ends in '-mt'?
A
Attempt
B
Dreamt
C
Exempt
D
Prompt
14.
The word 'ghoti' was proposed by language reformers to be pronounced like which common word?
A
Got
B
Ghost
C
Goat
D
Fish
15.
Which of these words has a silent 'b'?
A
Robot
B
Doubt
C
Cabin
D
Rabbit

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