Use only FIVE pairs of words in sentences clearly illustrating their meanings: Gibe / Jibe, Epigram / Epigraph, Brawl / Bawl, Crib / Crypt, Barmy / Balmy, Peat / Petite, Monogamous / Monogenous, Postilion / Posterior.

Pairs of words in sentences

Gibe / Jibe

The opposition leader's gibe about the minister's accent drew laughter in the assembly. — The sailor called out a warning before the boat jibed and the sail swung across. (Gibe = a taunting remark; jibe = to swing a sail across in sailing, and, informally, to agree: "his story does not jibe with the facts". "Jibe" is also a common spelling of "gibe".)

Epigram / Epigraph

Oscar Wilde is famous for epigrams such as "I can resist everything except temptation." — The novel opens with an epigraph from Iqbal. (Epigram = a short, witty saying; epigraph = an inscription, or a quotation placed at the start of a book or chapter.)

Brawl / Bawl

A brawl broke out between rival supporters after the match. — The hungry baby began to bawl. (Brawl = a noisy fight; bawl = cry or shout loudly.)

Crib / Crypt

The baby slept peacefully in her crib. — The saint was buried in the crypt beneath the cathedral. (Crib = a baby's cot, a manger, or (informally) to copy dishonestly; crypt = an underground chamber, usually beneath a church.)

Barmy / Balmy

He had the barmy idea of cycling from Karachi to Khunjerab in a week. — We sat outside on a balmy spring evening in Islamabad. (Barmy = foolish or crazy, British informal; balmy = pleasantly warm and mild.)

Peat / Petite

In Ireland, dried peat has long been burnt as fuel. — The petite gymnast won the gold medal. (Peat = partly decayed plant matter found in bogs; petite = small and slim, used of a woman.)

Postilion / Posterior

The postilion rode the leading horse of the royal carriage. — The posterior part of the brain controls balance. (Postilion = a rider on one of the horses drawing a carriage; posterior = at the back, or (noun) the buttocks.)

About monogamous / monogenous

"Monogamous" means having one spouse or mate at a time ("Swans are largely monogamous birds"). "Monogenous" is a technical term (of single origin, or in biology reproducing asexually) with more than one sense in dictionaries, so it is safer to choose five of the other pairs.

Tip

Pick the pairs you can explain with certainty. A clear sentence for five pairs earns full marks; an uncertain sixth earns nothing extra.