Homophones
These three little words all sound like the number that comes after one.
to, too, and two
This equation, formulated by a Cornell astronomer, estimates the number of communicating civilizations in our galaxy.
Drake equation
This levitation charm, taught by Professor Flitwick in the first book, makes objects float—just don’t forget to swish and flick.
Wingardium Leviosa
Put together “note” and “book” and you get this bound collection of blank pages.
notebook
This lightweight, silver-colored metal makes up soda cans and aircraft wings.
aluminum
In American folklore, this Revolutionary War general’s name is synonymous with treason.
Benedict Arnold
This pair of homophones includes a negative response and the past tense of “to be aware”.
no and know
The Fermi Paradox asks this famous two‑word question about extraterrestrial civilizations.
Where is everybody?
Harry uses this incantation to summon a silvery guardian against Dementors.
Expecto Patronum
Pair a type of precipitation with a person to build a winter lawn ornament.
snowman
Jewelers prize this yellow precious metal, chemical symbol Au.
gold
According to the New Testament, he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Judas Iscariot
These homophones describe precipitation from the sky and the act of ruling as a monarch.
rain and reign
This term for a potential barrier to technological species proposes that most civilizations wipe themselves out before reaching interstellar travel.
the Great Filter
Severus Snape invented this dark curse in his student days; it lacerates its victim as if cut by an invisible sword.
Sectumsempra
Combine the largest star in our solar system with a bloom to name this tall, yellow plant.
sunflower
Stainless steel is mostly iron and this lustrous, corrosion‑resistant element, symbol Cr.
chromium
This Roman senator conspired with Cassius to assassinate Julius Caesar—“Et tu?"
Brutus
One of these you bake with; the other blooms in a garden.
flour and flower
According to this hypothesis named for our planet, multicellular life might be so uncommon that Earth could be unique.
the Rare Earth hypothesis
This is the Cruciatus Curse’s incantation, used to inflict unbearable pain.
Crucio
Add a celestial body to “light” to create this romantic evening glow.
moonlight
This radioactive metal, named after the planet with the same name, fuels nuclear reactors.
uranium
The name of this Norwegian leader became a synonym for a collaborator with the Nazis.
Vidkun Quisling
These homophones are a female deer and bread dough.
doe and dough
In Liu Cixin’s science‑fiction trilogy, this foreboding two‑word theory suggests advanced civilizations stay quiet to avoid predation.
Dark Forest
Known as the Killing Curse, this unforgivable spell instantly ends life when the caster means it.
Avada Kedavra
Join a body part with a word for a passageway to name this pedestrian bridge over water.
footbridge
Alloying copper and tin together yields this ancient metal used for bells and statues.
bronze
This American CIA officer spied for the Soviets from 1985 until his arrest in 1994.
Aldrich Ames