Error, fault and their synonyms

[myhanh]

All the verbs here indicate that something is wrong or has gone wrong.
Fault is often associated with the idea of blame. You have done something wrong and you are responsible for this you are to blame for this and it is your fault.
Mistake is usually used in connection with apology. If you make a mistake because you've made the wrong decision, you accept that you have done something wrong and you apologize for it.
Error is often connected to the idea of something being incorrect. You can choose the wrong word in a sentence. You press the wrong key on the keyboard and your computer shows that this is wrong and the word error appears on the screen.
Blunder is a careless, stupid or gross mistake in action or speech, which usually affects other people.
Gaffe is a social blunder, indiscreet act or remark. Gaffes commonly result in embarrassment and gaffes by celebrities become famous.
Slip is a small, minor mistake made through haste or carefulness in speech or writing: a slip of the tongue; a slip of the finger, etc.
Misunderstanding suggests confusion over information caused by bad communication
Lapse is a usually minor or temporary failure; a slip, omission of something: a lapse of memory; a lapse in judgment; a mistake resulting from inattention

Exercise
1.I haven't done this and you are making a terrible ......... in suspecting me.

(a) error
(b) mistake
(c) blunder
(d) gaffe
2.Elizabeth realized that it had been a ......... to take her daughter to the house where her father was killed some years before.

(a) mistake
(b) slip
(c) fault
(d) misunderstanding


3.The accident was due to the ......... of the driver.

(a) slip
(b) error
(c) blunder
(d) lapse
4.Without her glasses she made a ......... and filled in the wrong form.
(a) error
(b) blunder
(c) lapse
(d) fault
5.Jacqueline is a good secretary but lately she often makes ......... in such simple things as typing and uploading information.
(a) blunders
(b) errors
(c) faults
(d) misunderstandings
6.My literature teacher speaks so quickly that he often makes ......... of the tongue.
(a) mistakes
(b) faults
(c) slips
(d) blunders
7.Don't even think of shifting the blame on me, please! It's not my ......... for what happened.
(a) fault
(b) error
(c) gaffe
(d) misunderstanding
8.I wouldn't call this a bad mistake, it is simply a ......... of the pen.
(a) error
(b) blunder
(c) gaffe
(d) slip
9.It is written here that I have a sister but there must be some ......... because I am an only child.
(a) error
(b) misunderstanding
(c) fault
(d) slip
10.He was in a coma for more than two weeks after the accident but now he has woken up and the doctors say he has a ......... of memory. He can hardly remember what had happened.
(a) gaffe
(b) lapse
(c) slip
(d) error