Encomium
The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee Competition has returned for its third edition and the stakes are even higher with mouthwatering cash prizes, ICT devices and mPulse goody bags to be won by the top 20 participants, as well as teachers and schools.
As we look forward to what promises to be an exciting edition, we decided to remind you how the finalists at the 2021 mPulse Spelling Bee Competition made light work of some pretty difficult words. The mindblowing part is, that these contestants were children between the ages of 9 and 15, yet they aced spellings some adults would find difficult.
Here are 10 words we couldn’t believe the contestants correctly spelt within 15 seconds:
Callisthenics – You’re probably seeing this word for the first time yet, Jawin James, a 15-year-old student of Bright Stars Model Secondary School got the spelling right. Callisthenics is a form of exercise that does not rely on anything but a person’s body weight.
Incunabulum – This word certainly sounds like a spell from Harry Potter. However, 12-year-old Akinyele Ademoyegun of Kaydel Comprehensive Secondary School got the spelling right. Incunabulum is an early printed book, especially one printed before 1501. Bet you didn’t know that.
Cupola – Due to its pronunciation, this is a difficult word to spell. Ekene Dondavis made no mistake when this challenge was thrown at him. A cupola is a rounded dome forming or adorning a roof or ceiling.
Knead – At first listen, this seems easy until it comes to mind that it is a homophone of the word “Need”. To make things interesting, the contestant asked for the word to be used in a sentence. The Chief pronouncer obliged with the following sentence “I need to knead the dough”. Ogunnaike Esther, an SS1 student of Federal Government Girls College Sagamu, was surely not fooled as she confidently spelt the word. Knead means to massage or squeeze with the hands.
Citronella – Kenechukwu Okafor, an SS2 student of Pegasus Schools, Eket, spelt the word correctly. If you’re confident you can spell it, close your eyes and try spelling it. Citronella is a natural oil that works against mosquitoes
Tercentenary – Jawin James of Bright Stars Model Secondary School got the spelling of this word correctly, to the amazement of the audience. Tercentenary is the three-hundredth anniversary of an event.
Monomania – This was a difficult word to spell. However, Kenechukwu Okafor of Pegasus Schools Eket had other plans as she spelt it like it was a piece of cake. Monomania is an obsessive enthusiasm for a thing.
Herbaceous – The mPulse spelling bee champion, Akinyele Ademoyegun from Kaydel Comprehensive College easily spelt the word. We thought this was pretty cool considering its complexity due to its Latin origin. Herbaceous is a non-woody plant.
Intermezzo – This is one of those words that can be quite confusing to spell correctly because of its pronunciation. However, Semilore Olutekunbi, a 13-year-old student from Dansol High School was spot on with his spelling. Intermezzo is a short connecting instrument in an opera or other musical work.
Kernite – This word has its origins in the early 20th Century county Kern. 12-year-old Akinyele Ademoyegun had no problems spelling this word correctly. Kernite is a crystalline mineral that consists of hydrated sodium borate.
The rewards for this year’s competition are simply breathtaking, with the top 20 spellers receiving gifts. The overall winner, along with the first and second runner-up, will also be rewarded with cash prizes for themselves and their English teachers. The spelling bee champion’s school will be rewarded with state-of-the-art ICT devices, while the winner also gets to become MTN CEO for a day.
Any primary or secondary student between the ages of 9-15 can register to participate on https://mpulse.mtn.ng, provided that they are registered on the mPulse plan. Students who wish to migrate to the mPulse plan may text mPulse to 344 or dial *344*1#.
