Select the word that is spelled INCORRECTLY.

Concept

A spelling-error question tests recognition of the standard dictionary form of a word. Each option must be checked letter by letter against its accepted spelling; the word that deviates from the dictionary form is the one spelled incorrectly. Pay special attention to the order of vowels and consonants near the end of a word, where errors are most common.

Application

Check each word against its dictionary spelling:

• "Rejoice" — R-E-J-O-I-C-E, the standard spelling of the verb meaning to feel great joy. Correct.

• "Relapes" — the intended word is the noun/verb meaning to fall back into a former state, whose dictionary spelling is R-E-L-A-P-S-E. Here the final two letters are reversed, giving "-pes" instead of "-pse". This deviates from the dictionary form, so it is spelled incorrectly.

• "Release" — R-E-L-E-A-S-E, the standard spelling of the verb meaning to set free. Correct.

• "Regulate" — R-E-G-U-L-A-T-E, the standard spelling of the verb meaning to control by rule. Correct.

Cross-check

Three of the four words match their dictionary forms exactly. Only the word ending in "-apes" departs from its accepted spelling "-apse", confirming it as the misspelled word. The correct spelling is "Relapse".