A

 

Homonym: a word that has the same spelling and the same pronunciation as another world, but a different meaning

Same spelling, different meaning

Imagine, then a situation where two words are spelt and pronounced exactly the same way, but have completely different meanings. Welcome to the world of homonyms. Take, for example, the word ‘fail’ --- it can be a kind of festival, and adjective to describe the color of your hair or how you should play a game. 

Don’t take it literally

So how do you know which meaning someone is referring to？ --- You don’t, except by the context. Obviously, if someone asks you to ‘give them a hand’, they don’t want you to remove what is at the end of your arm.

What’s in a name？

Sometimes even the context doesn’t help much --- the result can be amusing. These sentences play with the double meaning of a noun:

I used to be a banker, but I lost interest.

Have you heard about the cross-eyed teacher who couldn’t control his pupils？

A small boy swallowed some coins and had to go to hospital. When his grandmother phoned to ask how he was, the nurse said: ‘No change yet’.

More ambiguity

And these examples play with the different meanings of a verb:

I wondered why the ball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

No one knew she had a dental implant until it came out in a conversation.

A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.

Double trouble

And sometimes a word can be a noun and a verb, but have different meanings. Can you work this one out？

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

If you like these homonyms, you will be pleased to know that English has plenty more!

Explanations of jokes in the text

I used to be banker, but I lost interest. （I became bored with the job / I lost money)

Have you heard about the cross-eyed teacher who couldn’t control his pupils？ （students / parts of his eyes) 

A small boy swallowed some coins and had to go to hospital. When his grandmother phoned to ask how he was, the nurse said: ‘No change yet’. （no difference in the situation / no money)

I wondered why the ball was getting bigger. Then it hit me. （the ball hit me / I suddenly realized)

No one knew she had a dental implant until it came out in a conversation. （became known / fell out)

A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat. （can’t be better / difficult to mix with a fork)

Time flies like an arrow. （time goes quickly) Fruit flies like a banana. （insects enjoy eating fruit.)

 Which of the following statements about homonyms is NOT true？

A. They share the same spellings regardless of meanings.

B. We can’t know their meanings without context.

C. We may still feel confused even with context.

D. Their ambiguity brings great trouble to our life. 

 The “beat” in the sentence “A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat, making for a satisfying breakfast.” has a similar meaning to _____.

A. The rain was beating down on the tin roof.

B. Taking the bus sure beats walking.

C. The doctor could feel no pulse beating.

D. You’ve been working too hard, you look dead beat.