Question

Identify the correct homophones to complete the following sentences:
(1)The cheerleaders did their best to _____ team spirit.
(2)They needed more ________ in order to find a solution to the problem.

a. (1) incite
    (2) insight

b. (1) insight
    (2) incite

c. (1) incite
    (2) incite

d. (1) insight
    (2) insight

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘incite’ refers to ‘encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behaviour)’, and the word ‘insight’ refers to ‘the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of someone or something'.

Complete answer:

The word ‘incite’ is a verb, and the word ‘insight’ is used as a noun. They are homophones, i.e. they are words that sound the same, but have a different spelling and a different meaning. 

In the first sentence, the blank is after the word ‘to’ and the word ‘incite’ is a verb. So, it is an infinitive. We require the meaning of the word to fit into the meaning of the sentence. In the second sentence, the blank is after the word ‘more’, so the word needed is a noun, i.e. ‘insight’. 

Now, we know the meaning and usage of the given words. Let’s look at our options:

incite, insight - This suggests that the first blank should be ‘incite’, and the second should be ‘insight’. As we discussed before, this is correct. So, this is the correct option.

1. incite, insight - This suggests that the first blank should be ‘incite’, and the second should be ‘insight’. As we discussed before, this is correct. So, this is the correct option.

2. insight, incite - This suggests that the first blank should be a noun and the second blank should be a verb. This is incorrect in the context of the given sentences. So, this is an incorrect option.

3. incite, incite - This suggests that both blanks should contain verbs. Although the first blank would be considered correct, the second blank would be wrong, as the word needed is a noun. So, this is an incorrect option.

4. insight, insight - This suggests that both blanks should contain nouns. Although the second blank would be correct, the first blank would be wrong, as the word needed is a verb. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note: Identify the difference between a ‘verb’ and a ‘noun’ and when to use them. Then, given the context of the sentence, try to choose the most appropriate answer.