Question

Which one of the following is a correctly spelled word?

• A. exemplary
• B. examplary
• C. exemplery
• D. exemblary

Hint:

Be careful with noun-to-adjective spelling shifts! While the noun is spelled example, the adjective shifts to exemplary. It shares this pattern with the word *exemplify*.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: This question requires identifying the correct spelling of the adjective meaning "serving as a desirable model" or "representing the best of its kind." The word is derived from the noun *example*, but its spelling shifts when transformed into an adjective based on its Latin root *exemplaris*:
• The 'a' present in *example* changes to an 'e' in the adjective form.
• The middle consonant group is 'pl'.
• The final suffix portion is spelled '-ary'. Putting it all together gives: e-x-e-m-p-l-a-r-y. Let us examine the incorrect spelling variations:
• Option (B) examplary: Incorrectly retains the 'a' from the noun *example*.
• Option (C) exemplery: Incorrectly changes the suffix vowel from an 'a' to an 'e' (*-ery*).
• Option (D) exemblary: Incorrectly replaces the 'p' sound with a 'b'. Thus, Option (A) is the correct spelling.