Name ________________________________ Date _________________ Period __________________
ARCOLA SPELLING and USAGE EXPECTATIONS
1. You are expected to spell words correctly that are directly available to you for reference. For
example, you will lose credit for misspelling a word on a test or homework assignment if the word
is in the question that you are answering.
2. You will lose points for incorrect spelling on any assignment that is considered a final copy. If
you have had time to revise and edit, check with peers or the teacher, and consult a reference. The
spelling is expected to be perfect.
3. The spelling of the “No Excuse” words counts all of the time.
4. 8th Graders will be expected to spell all of the “No Excuse” words correctly!
NO EXCUSE WORDS
6th Grade – 1st Semester:
 there, their, they’re
 to, too, two
 its, it’s
 your, you’re
 a, an
 our, are
6th Grade – 2nd Semester – all previous words plus:
 then, than
 hear, here
 whose, who’s
 a lot
 good, well
 could/would/should have (not could of)
7th Grade – 1st Semester – all previous words plus:
 quiet, quite
 wear, were, where, we’re
Homework: Use 10 7th grade 1st semester
 threw, through
words in paragraph. Due _______________
 new, knew
 all right (not alright)
 loose, lose, loss
 choose, chose
7th Grade – 2nd Semester – all previous words plus:
 definitely, defiantly
 accept, except
Homework: Use 10 7th grade 2nd semester
 past, passed
words in paragraph. Due _______________
 aloud, allowed
 cause, because
 already, all ready
 affect, effect
there, their, they’re

their (pronoun) = 3rd person plural pronoun (It is their house.)

there (adverb) = a place (Go over there.)

they’re = they are (They’re very nice.)
to, too, two

to (usually a prep.) = usually shows location, direction, purpose,
or forms part of an infinitive verb (Go to the store to buy it.)

too (adverb) = also, very (This is too hard.)

two (adjective) = the number (I have two legs.)
its, it’s

its (pronoun) = possessive personal pronoun (Its tail was
short.)

it’s = it is (It’s a long way to Tipperary.)
your, you’re

your (pronoun) = 2nd person possessive pronoun (I have your
book)

you’re = you are (You’re here!)
a, an

a (adjective) = article used before a consonant sound (Have a
bite!)

an (adjective) = article used before a vowel sound (It’s an
honor to win.)
our, are

our (pronoun) = 1st person plural pronoun – (It’s our pa!)

are (verb) = plural form of “to be” (You are late.)
then, than

then (adverb) = word that shows time or sequence (Then we
went to the store.)

than (adverb) = word used to compare (He is taller than my
brother.)
hear, here

hear (verb) = to sense sound (I hear you.)

here (adverb) = at this place (Come here.)
who’s, whose

whose (pronoun) = belonging to who (Whose woods these are, I
think I know.)

who’s = who is (Who’s that?)
a lot = always written as two words, not one
good, well

good (usually adjective) = of high quality (You did a good job.)

well (usually adverb) = pleasingly (You did well!)
could/would/should have = verb phrase (not could of)
quiet, quite

quiet (adjective) = lack of or little sound (Be quiet in a
library.)

quite (adverb) = rather (That is quite a nice dress.)
were, where, we’re, wear

were (verb) = past tense of “are” (We were happy.)

we’re = are (We’re sad.)

where (adverb) = a place (Where are you?)

wear (verb)= to have something on (I wear the shirt)
threw, through

threw (verb) = past tense of throw (He threw the ball.)

through (preposition) = shows movement (It went through the
door.)
new, knew

new (adj.) = not old (You’ve won a new car!)

knew (verb) = past tense of know (I knew it!)
loose, lose, loss

loose (adj.) = not tight, rhymes with moose (I need a belt
because my pants are too loose.)

lose (verb) = to misplace or to not win (We will lose if you don’t
show up.)

loss (noun) = feeling of emptiness or result of having lost
something (What a terrible loss.)
choose, chose

choose (verb) = to pick (I will choose a pencil.)

chose (verb) = past tense of choose (He chose the pen.)
definitely, defiantly

definitely (adverb) = certainly (I am definitely going to the
STA dance.)

defiantly (adverb) = disobediently (He defiantly slammed the
door.)
accept, except

accept (verb) = to receive (I can accept it.)

except (usually a preposition) = excluding (I like all flavors
except vanilla.)
past, passed

past (prep. or adverb) = movement involving passing or going
beyond (Prep. from: We went past that house already. Adverb
form: She walked past without saying hello.)

passed (verb) = past tense form of pass (I passed English
class!)
aloud, allowed

aloud (adjective) = out loud (Read page ten aloud.)

allowed (verb) = permitted (I am not allowed out.)
cause, because

cause (noun) = what makes something happen (The cause of
the fire is unknown.)

because (conjunction) = for the reason that follows (Because
of the rain, the game was cancelled.)
already, all ready

already (adverb) = at a previous time (I learned this word
already.)

all ready = everyone or everything prepared (We are all ready
to go.)
affect, effect

affect (verb) = to cause to change (A bad score on this quiz
will affect your grade.)

effect (noun) = the change (The effect of a poor grade will be
angry parents.)