Words That Have Multiple Meanings Worksheets - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question one by one. We’re looking for words that mean the same thing — synonyms — to complete both sentences in each pair.

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Question 1:
> The carpenter used a hammer and ________.
> I have an appointment to have my ________ done.

We need a word that fits both: something a carpenter uses with a hammer, and something you get “done” at an appointment (like hair or nails).

- A. nail → Carpentry tool? Yes. Get your “nail” done? Not really — we say “get your nails done,” plural.
- B. toe → Doesn’t fit first sentence.
- C. chisel → Tool yes, but no one says “have my chisel done.”

Wait — maybe it’s “nails”? But option is singular “nail”. Hmm.

Actually, let’s think again: “I have an appointment to have my nails done” — that’s common. And carpenters use hammers and nails. So even though the option says “nail”, it might be intended as the concept.

But wait — look at the options again:

A. nail
B. toe
C. chisel

“Chisel” doesn’t work for the second sentence. “Toe” doesn’t work for the first. Only “nail” kind of works if we stretch it — but actually, “have my nail done” isn’t natural. Unless… maybe it’s a trick?

Hold on — perhaps the correct answer is A. nail, because:

- Carpenter uses hammer and nail ✔
- You can have your nail done (as in manicure) — sometimes people say “I got my nail fixed” if one is broken. It’s acceptable.

So we’ll go with A. nail

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Question 2:
> I will have some ________ on my burger.
> My friends fear he will not fight in a ________.

First blank: topping on a burger — could be cheese, lettuce, onion, etc.

Second blank: “fight in a ________” — like a battle, war, conflict.

Options:
A. october → doesn’t fit either
B. jam → “jam on burger”? No. “Fight in a jam”? Maybe slang for trouble — possible.
C. spread → “spread on burger” = yes (like mustard, mayo). “Fight in a spread”? No.

Wait — what about B. jam?

- “Have some jam on my burger” — unusual, but some people put sweet things on burgers? Not typical.
- “Fight in a jam” — means being in a difficult situation — yes, that’s idiomatic.

But “spread” is better for burger. Is there a word that fits both?

What if it’s C. spread?

- Spread on burger ✔
- Fight in a spread ✘ — doesn’t make sense.

Hmm.

Wait — maybe B. jam?

In British English, “jam” can mean a difficult situation — “in a jam”.

And “jam on burger” — while odd, maybe acceptable? Or perhaps it’s a trick.

Alternatively — is there another meaning?

Actually, let’s reconsider: maybe the word is “cheese”? But not an option.

Looking back — perhaps the intended answer is B. jam, because:

- Some people do put jam on burgers (weird but exists)
- “In a jam” = in trouble → so “fear he will not fight in a jam” = fear he won’t fight when things get tough.

That makes sense.

But let’s check option C: “spread”

- Spread on burger ✔✔✔
- “Fight in a spread” — no.

Option A: October — nonsense.

So between B and C — B has a chance with idiom.

Wait — what if it’s C. spread? And “fight in a spread” is not right.

Perhaps I’m overthinking.

Another idea: maybe “jam” as in fruit preserve — and “in a jam” as idiom.

Yes — that’s likely the intended connection.

So B. jam

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Question 3:
> We spent the afternoon in the ________.
> If we ________, our resources, we can accomplish more.

First blank: place where you spend afternoon — park, pool, mall, etc.

Second blank: verb — if we [verb] our resources...

Options:
A. pool → “spent afternoon in the pool” ✔; “if we pool our resources” ✔✔✔ — that’s a common phrase!

B. job → “in the job”? No. “If we job our resources”? No.

C. point → “in the point”? No. “If we point our resources”? Not really.

So clearly A. pool

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Question 4:
> We were warned not to gamble that ________.
> I don’t want to share. This cookie is ________.

First: gamble that ___ — probably “gamble that much” or “gamble that little”

Second: cookie is ___ — mine, yours, his, etc.

Options:
A. excruciation → not a real word? Excruciating is adjective. Doesn’t fit.
B. seldom → adverb — “gamble that seldom”? Odd. “Cookie is seldom”? No.
C. mine → “gamble that mine”? No. “Cookie is mine” ✔

Wait — none seem perfect.

“Gamble that mine” — doesn’t make sense.

Unless... is it “gamble that much”? But not an option.

Look again:

A. excruciation — probably typo for “excruciatingly” or something — doesn’t fit.

B. seldom — “we were warned not to gamble that seldom” — meaning don’t gamble so rarely? Possible, but weak.

“Cookie is seldom” — no.

C. mine — “cookie is mine” ✔, but “gamble that mine” ✘

Wait — perhaps it’s C. mine, and the first sentence is “gamble that mine” — which doesn’t work.

Maybe I misread.

Another thought: perhaps “gamble that little” — but not an option.

Or “gamble that much” — still not.

Wait — option A: “excruciation” — maybe it’s meant to be “excursion”? No.

Perhaps it’s B. seldom — and “gamble that seldom” means don’t gamble so infrequently — but that doesn’t match warning.

Warnings are usually “don’t gamble too much”.

This is tricky.

Let’s think differently.

What if the word is “mine” — and the first sentence is “gamble that mine” — which is grammatically wrong.

Unless it’s “gamble that is mine” — but not written.

Perhaps the answer is C. mine, and we accept that the first sentence is poorly constructed, but “cookie is mine” is strong.

But let’s see the other options.

Option A: “excruciation” — not standard. Probably distractor.

Option B: “seldom” — “we were warned not to gamble that seldom” — implies we should gamble more? That doesn’t sound like a warning.

Whereas “we were warned not to gamble that much” would make sense.

But “much” isn’t an option.

Wait — what if it’s “little”? Not there.

Perhaps I missed something.

Another idea: maybe “gamble that sum” — not option.

Let’s look at the structure: “gamble that ________” — the blank is likely an amount or degree.

“Mine” is possessive.

Unless — in context, “gamble that mine” could mean “gamble that belongs to me” — but that’s stretched.

Perhaps the intended answer is C. mine, and the first sentence is “we were warned not to gamble that [which is] mine” — implied.

But that’s weak.

Let’s consider: maybe it’s B. seldom, and “gamble that seldom” means don’t be so rare in gambling — but again, not a typical warning.

I think there might be a mistake, but among options, C. mine is best for second sentence, and perhaps first is accepted as “gamble that [thing that is] mine”.

But let’s check online or common phrases.

Actually, upon second thought — “we were warned not to gamble that much” is common, but “much” not option.

Perhaps the word is “all” — not option.

Wait — option A: “excruciation” — maybe it’s “excess”? No.

I recall that “excruciating” can relate to pain, but not fitting.

Perhaps it’s A. excruciation as a noun, but “gamble that excruciation” doesn’t make sense.

I think the most logical choice is C. mine, assuming the first sentence means “gamble that [amount that is] mine” — i.e., don't risk your own money.

And “cookie is mine” is clear.

So I'll go with C. mine

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Question 5:
> I love to eat _________. I take them out of the nut.
> Let's lock this door — they'd all fly out if we ________.

First: eat ___ from nut — peanuts, almonds, etc.

Second: lock door so they don’t fly out — insects? Birds?

Options:
A. screw → eat screw? No. Lock door so screws don’t fly out? No.
B. sun → eat sun? No.
C. knot → eat knot? No. Lock door so knots don’t fly out? No.

None seem to fit.

Wait — what if it’s “nuts”? But not option.

“Take them out of the nut” — so the edible part inside the nut shell.

Commonly, we eat the “meat” or “kernel”, but not listed.

Options are screw, sun, knot.

“Knot” — in wood, but not eaten.

“Sun” — no.

“Screw” — hardware.

Perhaps it’s a play on words.

“I love to eat kernels” — not option.

Another idea: “I love to eat peanuts” — and “take them out of the nut” — peanuts are often sold in shells.

Then second sentence: “lock this door — they’d all fly out if we ________” — if we open the door, bugs or birds fly out.

But what word connects?

Perhaps “open” — not option.

Options are screw, sun, knot.

“Knot” — if we untie the knot? But “fly out” suggests something airborne.

“Sun” — if we let the sun in? No.

“Screw” — if we unscrew something? Like a jar? Then contents might spill, not necessarily fly out.

But “they’d all fly out” — implies small flying things.

Unless “they” refers to the nuts? Nuts don’t fly.

Perhaps it’s “bees” — not option.

I think there might be a typo or misdirection.

Let’s read carefully: “I love to eat _________. I take them out of the nut.”

So the blank is what you eat, taken from the nut.

Commonly, it’s the “nut meat” or “kernel”.

But among options, none fit.

Unless — “knot” sounds like “not”, but no.

Another thought: in some contexts, “screw” can be a type of nut? No, screw and nut are different.

“Nut” can mean a fastener, and “screw” goes with it.

But “eat screw” — no.

Perhaps it’s “sunflower seeds” — but “sun” is option.

“I love to eat sun” — no.

Wait — “sun” as in sunflower? But we eat the seeds, not the sun.

And “take them out of the nut” — sunflower seeds are in a shell, not a nut.

Peanuts are legumes, but called nuts.

Still, no match.

Let’s consider the second sentence: “Let's lock this door — they'd all fly out if we ________.”

“If we open the door” — obvious.

But options are screw, sun, knot.

“If we untie the knot” — then something might escape, but “fly out” suggests wings.

“If we let the sun in” — no.

“If we unscrew the lid” — then contents might spill, but not fly.

Unless “they” are flies or bees.

But what connects to eating from a nut?

Perhaps the word is “ants” — not option.

I recall that in some puzzles, “knot” can be homophone for “not”, but not helpful.

Another idea: perhaps “I love to eat kernels”, and “knot” is close? No.

Let’s look at option C: knot.

“I love to eat knot” — no.

Perhaps it’s a mistake, and it’s supposed to be “nut” itself, but not.

Wait — what if the blank is “them”, but not.

I think I found it: perhaps “I love to eat peanuts”, and “peanut” contains “nut”, but the blank is for the edible part.

But let’s think of words that can mean both.

“Shell” — not option.

Perhaps “core” — not.

Let’s consider: in some dialects, “screw” might mean something else, but unlikely.

Another approach: the word that fits both sentences must be the same.

For example, if it were “seeds”, but not option.

Perhaps “sun” as in sunflower seed, and “if we sun” — no.

I recall that “knot” can mean a group of people, but not eaten.

Perhaps the answer is C. knot, and it’s a pun.

“I love to eat knot” — no.

Let’s search for common phrases.

Upon reflection, I remember that in some contexts, “nut” can refer to a person, but not eaten.

Perhaps it’s “brain” — not option.

I think there might be an error, but let’s guess based on similarity.

Notice that in question 3, “pool” worked for both.

Here, perhaps “knot” is intended for “not”, but no.

Another idea: “I love to eat acorns” — not option.

Perhaps “screw” as in a type of pasta? But “take them out of the nut” doesn’t fit.

I give up — let’s choose C. knot as least worst, but it’s bad.

Wait — what if it’s “sun” , and “I love to eat sun-dried tomatoes” — but “take them out of the nut” doesn’t fit.

No.

Let’s read the second sentence: “they'd all fly out if we ________.”

If we “open” the door, but not option.

“If we unlock” — not.

Options are screw, sun, knot.

“If we untie the knot” — then if there are birds tied, they fly out — but “I love to eat knot” doesn’t work.

Perhaps “knot” is a type of bird? Knot is a bird! Yes! The knot is a type of shorebird.

Oh! That’s it!

So:

- “I love to eat knot” — but do people eat knots? Some birds are eaten, but not commonly.

- “I take them out of the nut” — birds in a nut? No.

That doesn’t work.

“Knot” as bird, but “out of the nut” doesn’t fit.

Unless “nut” is a cage or something, but not.

Perhaps “nut” is a typo for “net”.

If “I take them out of the net” — then for birds, yes.

And “I love to eat knot” — if knot is a bird, and people eat it, possible.

And “lock this door — they'd all fly out if we untie the knot” — if the knot is tying the net or something.

But the sentence says “if we ________”, and options are nouns, not verbs.

The blank is for a noun in both cases.

In first sentence, “eat ________” — noun.

Second sentence, “if we ________” — should be a verb, but options are nouns.

Problem.

In second sentence, “if we ________”, it needs a verb, but options are nouns: screw, sun, knot.

So perhaps it’s “if we screw up” or something, but not specified.

“if we sun” — not a verb in this context.

“if we knot” — not a verb.

This is messy.

Perhaps for second sentence, “if we open the screw” or something.

I think the only logical possibility is that “knot” is meant to be “not”, but still.

Let’s consider that in some contexts, “screw” can be a verb, but the option is given as noun.

Perhaps the word is the same, and for second sentence, it’s “if we [do something with] the screw”.

But the sentence is “if we ________”, so the blank is the action.

Unless the blank is the object, but grammar suggests otherwise.

Let’s look at the sentence: “they'd all fly out if we ________.”

It’s missing a verb, so the blank should be a verb.

But options are nouns.

Unless in context, “screw” can be used as verb, e.g., “if we screw up”, but “screw up” means mess up, not related to flying out.

“if we sun” — not.

“if we knot” — not a verb.

I think there might be a mistake in the worksheet.

Perhaps for second sentence, it’s “if we loosen the knot”, but not.

Another idea: perhaps “I love to eat walnuts”, and “walnut” contains “nut”, but the blank is for the edible part.

But let’s notice that in the first sentence, “I take them out of the nut” — “them” implies plural, so the blank should be plural or collective.

Options are singular.

Perhaps “screws” — but not.

I recall that “sun” can be short for sunflower seed, and “if we sun” doesn't work.

Let’s try to force it.

Suppose the answer is A. screw.

- “I love to eat screw” — no.
- “if we screw” — as in tighten or loosen, but “they'd fly out” — if we unscrew a container, contents might spill, but not fly.

Unless “they” are insects attracted to food.

But weak.

Perhaps B. sun.

- “I love to eat sun” — no.
- “if we sun” — if we expose to sun, things might dry, not fly out.

No.

C. knot.

- “I love to eat knot” — no.
- “if we knot” — not a verb.

I think the intended answer might be C. knot, with the understanding that "knot" can mean a binding, and if we untie it, things escape, but "eat knot" is problematic.

Perhaps "knot" is a type of food in some culture, but unlikely.

Another thought: in baking, "knot" can be a shape, like pretzel knot, and you eat it, and "take them out of the nut" — no.

I found a possibility: perhaps "nut" is a typo for "pot" or "box", but not.

Let’s consider that "I take them out of the nut" might mean from the shell, and "nut" is used loosely.

But still.

Perhaps the word is "kernel", and "knot" is close in spelling, but not.

I recall that in some old texts, "knot" can mean a lump or mass, but not eaten.

I think I have to guess.

Let’s look for clues in the image or context, but since I can't, I'll go with C. knot as the only one that might work for the second sentence if we interpret "knot" as a tie, and for the first, perhaps it's a stretch.

But earlier for question 4, I chose C, and here also C.

Perhaps for question 5, it's A. screw, and "I love to eat screw" is wrong, but "if we screw" as in operate a screw mechanism, and if we unscrew, things fly out.

But "eat screw" is absurd.

Unless "screw" is a type of candy or something, but not common.

I remember that "licorice" is sometimes called "screw", but not.

Another idea: "sun" as in sunflower, and "I love to eat sunflower seeds", and "take them out of the nut" — sunflower seeds are in a shell, which is like a nut.

Then "if we sun" — doesn't work.

"If we let the sun in" — not.

Perhaps "if we open the sunroof" — not.

I think the best bet is that for question 5, the answer is C. knot, and we assume that "knot" can be eaten in some context, or it's a mistake.

But let's double-check online or common knowledge.

Upon thinking, I recall that in some puzzles, "knot" is used for "not", but here it's not.

Perhaps the word is "none", but not option.

I give up. Let's choose C. knot for now.

But let's list what we have:

1. A. nail
2. B. jam
3. A. pool
4. C. mine
5. C. knot

For question 2, I had doubt.

Let's revisit question 2.

"I will have some ________ on my burger." — typically, condiments like ketchup, mustard, or toppings like cheese, onion.

"My friends fear he will not fight in a ________." — in a battle, war, or in a difficult situation.

"Jam" can mean a difficult situation, as in "in a jam".

And "jam on burger" — while not common, some people do put fruit jams on burgers, especially in gourmet cooking.

So B. jam is acceptable.

For question 4, "we were warned not to gamble that ________" — if it's "mine", it could mean "don't gamble that which is mine", i.e., my money.

And "cookie is mine" is clear.

For question 5, perhaps "knot" is intended for "not", but still.

Another possibility for question 5: "I love to eat peanuts", and "peanut" has "nut", but the blank is for the edible part, which is the peanut itself.

But "take them out of the nut" — if "nut" means the shell, then yes, you take the peanut out of the shell.

Then "I love to eat peanuts" — good.

Then second sentence: "Let's lock this door — they'd all fly out if we ________."

"If we open the door" — but not option.

Options are screw, sun, knot.

"If we untie the knot" — but "knot" is the option, and it's a noun, but in the sentence, "if we knot" doesn't work.

Unless the blank is "open the knot", but not.

Perhaps "if we loosen the screw" — but again.

I think there might be a typo, and it's supposed to be "if we open", but not.

Perhaps "knot" is meant to be "not", and "if we not" is ungrammatical.

I recall that in some contexts, "screw" can be a verb, and "if we screw" could mean if we make a mistake, but "they'd fly out" doesn't connect.

Perhaps "they" are the peanuts, and if we shake the container, they fly out, but "screw" doesn't mean shake.

Another idea: "sun" as in sunlight, and if we let the sun in, moths or something fly out, but "I love to eat sun" doesn't work.

I think the only reasonable choice is that for question 5, the answer is A. screw, with the interpretation that "screw" can be a type of fastener, and "I love to eat screw" is wrong, but perhaps in a metaphorical sense, or it's a mistake.

Perhaps "screw" is a brand or something.

I found a better fit: in some regions, "screw" can mean a twist or turn, but not eaten.

Let's consider that "knot" can be a unit of speed, but not eaten.

I think I have to conclude with the following answers:

1. A. nail
2. B. jam
3. A. pool
4. C. mine
5. C. knot

For question 5, upon further research in my mind, I recall that "knot" is not typically eaten, but perhaps in the context, it's the only one that can be associated with "fly out" if we think of birds or something.

But let's notice that in the second sentence, "they'd all fly out if we ________", and if "we" do something with the "knot", like untie it, then if there are birds tied, they fly out.

And for the first sentence, "I love to eat knot" — if "knot" is a type of bird, and in some cultures, birds are eaten, then it could work.

For example, the knot is a bird, and people do eat certain birds.

So "I love to eat knot" — meaning the bird species.

"And I take them out of the nut" — "nut" might be a typo for "net" or "cage", but if we assume "nut" means a enclosure, then possible.

So with that stretch, C. knot works.

Similarly, for other questions, our choices are reasonable.

So final answers:

1. A
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. C

Now, to box the answer.

The user wants the final answer for each question.

Since it's multiple choice, we can list the letters.

Final Answer:
1. A
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. C