See how you did! Below are the answers for the March 30, 2010 Word Test Challenge.
- deserts; only one s in the middle...you get what you deserve, and rarely does that include cake and ice cream
- bear; carry the load
- bated
- chord; but vocal cord, electrical cord, spinal cord
- complement; because it's complete
- praying; because of how their front legs fold
- fazed
- mettle; quality of temperament or disposition
- rapt; wholly absorbed (from rapere to seize)
- indeed
- piqued
- under way; use the one word underway only as an adjective before a noun
- stanch; to check or stop the flowing of
- principle; the principal is your pal
- rein; let go of the reins and let the horse wander
- toe; "put your toes up to the line"
- capitol; mnemonic: the o in dome; but: Reno is the capital of Nevada.
- stomping; or stamping, take your pick; stamping is the more classic use
- sic; alteration of seek
- pored; to gaze intently
- flouted; actually, from playing the flute; M-W says confusion with flaunt is not necessarily substandard, though
- foundered; founder means to sink; flounder means to thrash about wildly
- pidgin; derives from business in Chinese
- wreak; funny thing, though...wreak's alternate pronunciation is identical to that of wreck
Source: Merriam-Webster 11th Collegiate Dictionary.