Even today, in the age of texting shortcuts and spell-check dependence, good spelling skills are essential-on important tests, at work, or in life. Express Review Guides: Spelling puts you on the smart and speedy path to spelling like a pro, with hundreds of activities, brainstorming ideas, notes, trivia, key definitions, and tips for avoiding spelling pitfalls. Whether you're looking for a quick review or in-depth practice, Express Review Guides: Spelling provides insights into: Smart strategies toward becoming a star speller Homonyms and other commonly confused words The basic building blocks of words-roots, prefixes, and suffixes The long and the short of the 5 (sometimes 6) main vowels and how they fit into words Consonants and their many combinations The rules for turning singular nouns into plural nouns Verb-subject agreement, a.