Answers

See how you did! Below are the answers for the March 30, 2010 Word Test Challenge.

  1. deserts; only one s in the middle...you get what you deserve, and rarely does that include cake and ice cream
  2. bear; carry the load
  3. bated
  4. chord; but vocal cord, electrical cord, spinal cord
  5. complement; because it's complete
  6. praying; because of how their front legs fold
  7. fazed
  8. mettle; quality of temperament or disposition
  9. rapt; wholly absorbed (from rapere to seize)
  10. indeed
  11. piqued
  12. under way; use the one word underway only as an adjective before a noun
  13. stanch; to check or stop the flowing of
  14. principle; the principal is your pal
  15. rein; let go of the reins and let the horse wander
  16. toe; "put your toes up to the line"
  17. capitol; mnemonic: the o in dome; but: Reno is the capital of Nevada.
  18. stomping; or stamping, take your pick; stamping is the more classic use
  19. sic; alteration of seek
  20. pored; to gaze intently
  21. flouted; actually, from playing the flute; M-W says confusion with flaunt is not necessarily substandard, though
  22. foundered; founder means to sink; flounder means to thrash about wildly
  23. pidgin; derives from business in Chinese
  24. wreak; funny thing, though...wreak's alternate pronunciation is identical to that of wreck

Source: Merriam-Webster 11th Collegiate Dictionary.