Connecticut Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) Practice

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What defines homophones?

  1. Words spelled the same with different meanings

  2. Words that sound the same but are spelled differently

  3. Words that originate from the same root

  4. Words that rhyme with each other

The correct answer is: Words that sound the same but are spelled differently

B is the correct choice because homophones are specifically defined as words that sound the same but have different meanings and often different spellings. For example, "to," "too," and "two" are homophones because they are pronounced the same way, yet they have different meanings and spellings. Understanding homophones is crucial for language learners, as it highlights the nuances of pronunciation and meaning that can lead to confusion in writing and speaking. The other options describe different linguistic concepts. The first option refers to homographs, which are words that are spelled the same and may share meanings. The third option pertains to etymology, where words are derived from the same root but do not necessarily sound the same or share meanings. The fourth option describes rhymes, which involve words that have similar ending sounds but do not necessarily have the same pronunciation throughout, thus differing from the definition of homophones.