Can You Ace This Flashcard Spelling Test in Less Than 7 Minutes?

EDUCATION

By: Beth Hendricks

6 Min Quiz

Image: Jasius / mattjeacock / Moment / DigitalVision Vectors / Getty Images

About This Quiz

In the old days, when bragging rights were on the line for the school spelling bee or there was a spelling test to hurry and study for the next day, there was one thing that could make a nervous speller's heart skip a beat: the mighty flashcard. Although we're not sure whether today's students love 'em or hate 'em (or if they have school spelling bees or even spelling tests anymore), we know they can be an effective learning aid for helping memorize words ... well ... in a flash! How? There have been some studies performed that show that flashcards can actually improve your memorization skills and retention capabilities. Seeing words over and over on a flashcard is like a sticky mental "glue," helping you recall what you've seen flashed before your eyes, oh, a few dozen times.

We're going to use flashcards in this lesson, but not exactly how you might remember them. We'll flash an image of an object and then give you four options for its proper spelling. Don't be fooled by the three distractors; key in on the right answer and choose it fast. Time is ticking! We want to see if you can nail 40 spelling words in less than seven minutes (that's almost six per minute). We know you can do it – we have faith in your inner spelling bee champion!


This is the result of two people exchanging wedding vows. What is it called?

Weddings may include Elvis impersonators, pastors or best friends, but a marriage exists between the two people who entered into the commitment. A marriage license seals the deal!

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You need one of these to legally operate a motor vehicle. What is it called?

In most states, you can get a learner's permit somewhere around the age of 15, followed by a driver's license at age 16. Every few years, you have to renew your license and update any information that has changed.

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Abraham Lincoln gave a pretty memorable one of these. Which of these words is in its title?

Delivered in 1863 on a battlefield near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" is considered to be one of the greatest speeches ever given, even at a mere 272 words long.

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How do you spell the name of the instrument that has 88 keys?

A regular-sized piano has 88 keys, but that doesn't mean they all do. Some varieties, such as electronic keyboards, may come in models with as few as 25 keys or as many as 61.

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You might document your travels or write all of your secrets in one of these. What is it called?

Most diaries (that's plural for diary, don't you know) are considered "top secret" information by their owners. Diaries are books of blank paper used to jot down personal thoughts or feelings, sometimes sealed with a lock.

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Cinderella's Fairy Godmother turned a pumpkin into one of these. What was it?

If you've never ridden in a carriage, don't worry, you're not alone. We're not sure how comfy a pumpkin turned into one would be, but Cinderella's Fairy Godmother made it happen.

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You might get one of these on your birthday, anniversary or Valentine's Day. How do you spell it?

Floral bouquets are a popular gift to celebrate certain occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries and holidays like Valentine's Day. Bouquets are simply assortments of flowers bundled together.

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For some, this is the next step after graduating high school. How is it spelled?

Many people opt for either a two-year or even four-year college degree after high school, while others enter vocational training or start working right away. Whatever you are, be a good one, that's all we have to say.

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You can't use one for this quiz, but which of these can help you with spellings and pronunciations?

Do you wish you had a dictionary right now? We bet you do! Dictionaries used to be common in print form in homes and offices, but with the internet today, you have a million "dictionaries" literally at your fingertips at all times.

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Beethoven played one of these brilliantly, despite being deaf. How do you spell it?

Beethoven not only was a composer, but a talented musician. While the piano was his instrument of choice, he earned a living playing viola for three years. He continued to compose and play even after losing his hearing, a truly remarkable feat.

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Singer Sia wanted to swing from one of these. How do you spell it?

Sia's song about swinging from a chandelier might be a thinly veiled reference to partying ... a lot of partying. We're all in favor of having a good time, but just keep it safe, please!

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Snow White was known to do this while she worked. What is it?

Snow White approached household chores with a better attitude than most of us, whistling while she worked. Maybe we need to get her help with our vacuuming task from earlier in this quiz.

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If you want to cut something, you'll need a pair of these. How do you spell its name?

We've come a long way from the blunt-tipped scissors we were handed in kindergarten to cut construction paper. Today, scissors vary based on their intended function, from kitchen shears to those ideal for cutting fabric.

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Having a bad day – or even a good one? A dose of this can improve either. What is it?

Is there anything better than chocolate? Chocolate can turn a bad day around and make a good day even better, if you ask us. Dark, milk or white – we're a fan of any and all varieties!

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How do you spell the name of a yellow fruit that's full of potassium?

Believe it or not, bananas are a member of the berry family (while raspberries are not)! They are quite high in potassium, as well as vitamins C and B6, making them a good addition to an individual's diet.

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Frogs and toads are both classified as this type of species. How do you spell it?

The amphibian exhibit at the zoo is always a well-attended display, full of jumpy, scaly critters like frogs, toads and salamanders. By design, you'll find amphibians around water, which is necessary for their survival.

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Get caught under one of these and you'll earn a Christmastime kiss. What is it?

It's where Mommy got caught kissing Santa Claus, and where you're likely to also get caught if you hang out underneath it too long. True mistletoe is actually a parasite that grows on other trees and shrubs.

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You can tell how fast you're going, how much fuel you have left or what your oil pressure is with which of these vehicle features?

Cars have changed a lot over the years, but one thing that hasn't changed in most models is a variety of gauges – speedometers, tachometers, fuel, pressure, etc. – that appear on a vehicle's dashboard.

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The area where a river meets an ocean is known as which of these?

An estuary is the exact area where a river and an ocean meet. This causes freshwater to merge with saltwater, creating a unique environment. A good example of one is the San Francisco Bay.

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If you ever have to give blood, it will be analyzed here. How do you spell it?

Laboratories around the world do things like analyze blood samples, look for cures for diseases and even test DNA profiles to help identify an individual's ancestry. Many of these functions are carried out by scientists and trained technicians.

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This animal in "Peter Pan" swallowed a clock. How do you spell its animal name?

Known as "Tick-Tock the Crocodile" in Peter Pan, the reptile earned its name for the clock it swallowed. This caused him to give off a tell-tale "tick-tock" sound as he approached, which is not great for hunting expeditions.

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"Beans, greens and potatoes" isn't just the start of a song from a viral video. They're also what?

Most children don't like them and most adults just tolerate them. But, a grandma (and pastor!) in a web video caused vegetables to go viral when she sang about them several years ago.

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Which of these is a tool you can use to tell the current temperature?

There are many different types of thermometers out there, including varieties that tell us what the temperature is outside as well as versions that allow us to take our own temperature when we're feeling under the weather.

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The right piece of this can completely tie together an outfit. How it is spelled?

Rings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches ... we love anything with the right dose of sparkle. The Hope Diamond, on display at the National Museum of Natural History, still holds the title of the world's most expensive piece of jewelry.

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This little guy will grow into a beautiful butterfly one day. What is he now, though?

Caterpillars turn into butterflies through a process known as metamorphosis (another tricky word to spell). Most of us aren't crazy about the wiggly leg caterpillar stage, but we sure do think butterflies are lovely.

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Tom Brady ... LeBron James ... Aaron Judge. These guys are all examples of which of these?

Athletes exists at all levels, from high school and college to professional leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB. Athletes like Tom Brady, LeBron James and Aaron Judge are some of the top-performing in their respective fields.

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Hipsters love to eat this on toast, but how do you spell it?

It's another one of those words that we pronounce differently from how it's spelled. Avocados are considered part of the berry family and offer many health benefits in addition to being mmm, mmm, tasty.

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Ice cream, maybe a brownie, perhaps a slice of pie. What are all of these things known as?

The only problem with dessert is choosing which of these to eat! The word "dessert" is often misspelled as "desert," which is a hot and sandy place and not a delicious after-dinner treat.

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A printed version or digital one, this tool can help keep you organized. What is it?

A calendar, whether print or digital, lays out your weeks or months so that you can see what's coming up. Many calendars will also provide designations for holidays, so you know when you can get a little R&R.

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Don't forget this when you go on vacation! Which of these can help capture your best memories?

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If you get named to one of these, get prepared to attend a lot of meetings. What is it called?

Committees are made of up people who share a similar interest in something specific. For example, a leadership committee in an office might be concerned with a business' overall operations.

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You need good balance and flexibility to become one of these. How is it spelled?

Gymnasts are a perfect combination of athleticism, balance, flexibility and coordination. This benefits them in their routines, which range from pommel horses and parallel bars to the balance beam.

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One of these little guys appears on the front of the "Lucky Charms" cereal box? How do you spell it?

Leprechauns aren't real; at least, we don't think they are. They are the product of Irish fairytales, where they're depicted as tiny, bearded creatures who like to cause a wee bit o' trouble.

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This patterned material is designed to help conceal. What do we call it?

It's no coincidence that both the military and hunters use camouflage when out in the field. Its ability to help conceal the person wearing it makes it ideal for staying out of the line of sight of bad guys and deer.

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The most famous of these is the International Space Station. How do you spell it?

The International Space Station, which hovers in orbit above the planet Earth, is perhaps the most well-known satellite for most people. It is jointly used by the U.S., Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada.

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This is an integral part of making s'mores. How is it spelled?

Graham crackers, chocolate bars and a gooey marshmallow all come together in this campfire treat to create the perfect sweet "sandwich." You could probably make them in a microwave, too (not that we'd know).

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This military rank comes after "corporal." Which spelling is correct?

This is one of those tricky words to spell because we so frequently see it abbreviated (that's Sgt., to you). The rank of sergeant comes after that of "corporal" in the U.S. military.

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One of my least favorite household chores involves this appliance. What is it?

Ugh, is there anything more tedious than running a vacuum? Sure, it's one of those necessary evils, like putting away laundry or walking the dog. But, that still doesn't mean we have to like it.

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Most people don't write letters anymore, but if they did, they'd need this. How do you spell it?

This one was a bit of a trick question, since both "stationery" and "stationary" are proper spellings of the word. Only "stationery" refers to paper, though, while "stationary" means that something is not moving around.

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Turn this instrument over and over, and you'll never see the same design twice. What is it?

A kaleidoscope is a pretty cool gadget whether you're a child or an adult. Holding it up to your eye and turning it, you're able to see many different patterns which play off light and colored pieces of glass.

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