Choose the correct homophone to complete the sentence: The blacksmith shaped the malleable with precision, while the apprentice d…

Question

Choose the correct homophone to complete the sentence:

The blacksmith shaped the malleable with precision, while the apprentice demonstrated his by tirelessly working late into the night.

1. A. metal, mettle (Correct answer)
2. B. mettle, mettle
3. C. metal, metal
4. D. mettle, metal

Correct Answer

Option A — metal, mettle

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is metal, mettle.

Key Points

• Metal is the physical material a blacksmith shapes, so it fits the first blank.
• Mettle means courage, spirit or strength of character, which is what the apprentice demonstrates by working late.
• The two are homophones, pronounced alike but entirely different in meaning.
• The phrase "to prove one's mettle" means to show one's resilience under test.

Additional Information

• Mettle appears in two common idioms: "to test one's mettle" and "to be on one's mettle", both meaning to have one's courage or ability put to the proof.
• Extend the set to a four-way confusion group frequently used in exams: metal (the material), mettle (courage), medal (an award) and meddle (to interfere).