Can You Pass This Quiz of 4th Grade Spelling Words?
Updated: Feb. 26, 2020You probably haven't taken a spelling test since grade school. If that's the case, it's time to change that. No peeking at a dictionary or Google for this quiz of elementary school level, but surprisingly tricky, words.
Which of these words describes a deeply held value or unbreakable rule?
A. Principle
B. Princeple
C. Principal
A. Principle
For example, cheating on a test of 4th grade spelling words might get you sent to the principal‘s office. If you really want to challenge your spelling skills, get a look at the hardest winning words from the National Spelling Bee.
Which word goes here? “Boston is the ____ of Massachusetts.”
A. Capital
B. Capitle
C. Capitol
A. Capital
States have “capital” cities, and countries have “capitals,” but legislators meet in “capitol” buildings. We totally see why that one trips people up. Here are some more confusing words and phrases you’re probably using all wrong.
Which of the following means “permitted” or “able to”?
A. Aloud
B. Allowed
C. Allowde
B. Allowed
It might sound identical to “allowed,” but “aloud” actually means the same thing as “out loud.” For example, “I’m not allowed to play my music aloud when my baby brother is sleeping, so I use headphones.” Just a few letters can make a big difference. Try naming these states without using vowels!
Which of the following is a kind, praising statement someone makes to someone else?
A. Compliment
B. Complement
C. Complament
A. Compliment
A “complement” is something that completes or increases the value of something else. “Complament” isn’t a word at all, but you might think it is because of the way most people pronounce the word. (These spelling mistakes are common–this is the difference between travelled and traveled.)
Which of these words is a noun describing a noticeable change or result?
A. Effect
B. Affect
C. Efect
A. Effect
“Affect” is a verb meaning to produce a change or—you guessed it—an effect. To make matters more confusing, “affect” can also be a noun meaning a subtle display of emotion. See if you can pass this notoriously difficult test for second-graders.
Which word goes here: “I got all these 4th grade spelling words right ___ for this one.”
A. Except
B. Accept
C. Ecxept
A. Except
“Accept” is a verb meaning “to allow or agree to,” while “except” is a preposition meaning “with the exclusion of.” In that way, their meanings are somewhat opposite! When you’re trying to figure out which to use, ask yourself if you’re “allowing” or “excluding.”
Which of these words means “to get or take into your possession”?
A. Recieve
B. Receive
C. Reiceive
B. Receive
This is one of the words that that old “I before E except after C” rule was created for. If you’re enjoying this 4th grade spelling words quiz, try another brain-busting test of elementary school words.
Which of these words means “experiencing shame or humiliation”?
A. Embarrassed
B. Embarassed
C. Embarrased
A. Embarrassed
Here’s a rule for spelling “embarrassed”—when in doubt, use double letters!
Which of these words means “engaged or curious”?
A. Intrested
B. Interrested
C. Interested
C. Interested
If you’re interested in spelling, try your hand at this quiz of notoriously difficult words to spell.
Which of the following means “to misplace or forget the whereabouts of” (or “to come off worse in a competition”)?
A. Loose
B. Lose
C. Louse
B. Lose
No, you can’t “loose” your keys. But if you set your dog loose, you might lose him.
When you go to the gym, which of the following are you doing?
A. Exercising
B. Excercising
C. Exorcising
A. Exercising
Hopefully, you’re not encountering any demons at the gym, as that’s the only time you would use the homophone “exorcising.” Here are some more homophones people commonly mix up.
Which of these words means “essential” or “required”?
A. Nesessary
B. Nessecary
C. Necessary
C. Necessary
C’s and double-S’s make the same sound in “necessary,” making it a tricky word to spell! Check out this funny collection of totally wrong—but hilarious—answers real kids have put on tests.
Which of these do you do when you talk about a topic of conversation or consideration?
A. Discuss
B. Disscuss
C. Discus
A. Discuss
If Choice C also looked familiar, that’s because “discus” is a disk-throwing track-and-field event.
Which of these words means “indisputably” or “absolutely”?
A. Definetely
B. Definitely
C. Definately
B. Definitely
As in, if you got more than ten of these 4th grade spelling words right, you’re definitely a master speller! Officially feeling smarter than a fourth grader? See how you fare against these elementary school math questions.