IXL | Use the correct frequently confused word

Complete the text with the correct word.

Scientists theorize that a black hole may sit at the center of every galaxy, and it is typically assumed that small galaxies contain small black holes. However, a dwarf galaxy called M60-UCD1 defies that expectation: it contains a supermassive black hole despite

it's

tiny size.

it's

its

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Complete the text with the correct word.

The pet store owner was

prosecuted

by the state district attorney's office for possessing and transporting illegal reptiles.

persecuted

prosecuted

key idea

Certain words are often confused with one another. In your writing, you should pay close attention to these words and make sure you are using them correctly.

For example, fewer and less have similar meanings, but you should use them differently. Use fewer to describe things you can count, like pencils. Use less to describe things you can't count, like water.

Fewer people than expected came to watch the race.

Our town received less snow this winter due to the heat wave.

Affect and effect have similar spellings and can sound the same, but they have different meanings. Affect is usually a verb that means to change or influence. Effect is usually a noun that means an outcome or result.

Our team was losing, but I tried not to let that affect my performance.

The new medicine has an amazing effect on cold symptoms.

solution

Look at the answer choices, persecuted and prosecuted.

Prosecuted means to have legal action brought against you, or to be put on trial, for a supposed crime. Persecuted means to be treated cruelly or unfairly, usually due to membership in an particular group.

The correct choice to use in the text is prosecuted.

The pet store owner was prosecuted by the state district attorney's office for possessing and transporting illegal reptiles.

Looking for more? Try this:

$Confetti$

Excellent!

Now entering the Challenge Zone—are you ready?

Questions
answeredQuestions

Time
elapsedTime

hr	min	sec
00	00	06

SmartScore
out of 100
IXL's SmartScore is a dynamic measure of progress towards mastery, rather than a percentage grade. It tracks your skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions. Consistently answer questions correctly to reach excellence (90), or conquer the Challenge Zone to achieve mastery (100)! Learn more

Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

T.1Use the correct frequently confused word

R.1Use the correct homophone

Excellent! You got that right!

Jumping to level 1 of 1

Excellent!