Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: fiddling
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests correct spelling, a fundamental skill for accurate writing and professional communication. Recognising which word is spelled correctly among several near looking forms is a common exam pattern. It encourages careful observation and familiarity with frequently used English words.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Spelling questions often insert extra letters, omit necessary letters, or alter vowels. The technique is to recall the familiar printed form of the word and to recognise standard patterns, such as when consonants are doubled and when they are not. Checking simple base forms and known suffixes like "-ing" or "-ed" helps you eliminate incorrect options quickly.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine "depictted". The corresponding verb is "depict", and the past form is "depicted", with a single "t" before "ed". Therefore "depictted" is incorrect.
Step 2: Look at "brisbaane". The correct spelling of the Australian city is "Brisbane", with a single "a" and ending in "ane". Thus "brisbaane" is wrong.
Step 3: Consider "fiddling". The base word is "fiddle" and the present participle is formed as "fiddling", with a double "d" and a single "l", which matches the option exactly.
Step 4: Check "ponderred". The verb is "ponder" and the regular past is "pondered", with only one "r" before "ed". So "ponderred" is incorrect.
Step 5: Observe "fiddeling". This adds an unnecessary "e" and misplaces letters; the standard form is "fiddling".
Step 6: Since all others have clear spelling errors, "fiddling" is the only correctly spelled word.
Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine the phrase "He was fiddling with his pen during the lecture." This is a common usage of the word and you will find it spelled as "fiddling" in dictionaries and texts. The other forms would not appear in serious newspapers or books. This mental check confirms your choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Many learners are unsure about where to double consonants. They may assume that the presence of a short vowel automatically requires double consonants, leading to forms like "ponderred". Another pitfall is overcomplicating simple "-ing" forms by inserting extra vowels. Reading authentic English material regularly helps create a strong visual memory of word forms, which greatly reduces errors in such questions.
Final Answer:
The correctly spelled word in this set is fiddling.
Discussion & Comments