Question

Identify the correct homophone to complete the sentences:
(1) All the files were segregated into six __________ parts.
(2) She was always _________ about her personal matters.
a) (1) discreet
      (2) discrete
b) (1) discrete
      (2) discreet
c) (1) discreet
     (2) discreet
d) (1) discrete
     (2) discrete

Answer 1

Hint: Homophones are words with different meanings and spellings and the same pronunciation.

Complete answer:
Looking at the sentence and the options we can figure out that two words that will be used in the blanks are DISCRETE and DISCREET as they go with both, meaning and context of the sentence. Now, let us proceed with recalling the meanings of the two terms. DISCRETE means distinct or separate and DISCREET means to be careful and cautious, in order to keep something confidential and avoid embarrassment.

Reading the first sentence we can very clearly understand that the files were segregated into 6 different and separate parts. While from the second sentence we can figure out that she is careful and cautious and keeps her personal matters confidential.

With these two explanations above, we understand that sentence one will use the word DISCRETE and sentence two will use the word DISCREET, as blanks are suggestive. And when we go through the four alternatives, we see that option b is the only correct answer, as the remaining options do not collaborate with the meaning and context of the sentence, because we know that Files cannot be careful and cautious and nor can she be separate about her personal matters.

Note:
In questions involving homophones, the options all look and sound very similar, we must be very cautious while choosing the alternative we find correct.