Quiz: "sparred" or "sparked"?

The correct answer is: sparked"UK travel companies say the royal wedding has sparked a rise in holiday bookings."

When something sparks or sparks off something else, it makes it happen. You can also use this verb to show that something made someone remember certain feelings or an event. A spark is a very small part of a fire, often at the start. 

"Seeing that photo taken last summer sparked off happy memories for me."

Prince William will marry Catherine Middleton on Friday, 29 April at Westminster Abbey in London. The day has been declared a bank holiday in the UK. As it comes straight after the Easter weekend, many people only need to take three days' leave to get eleven days off work. The UK Travel Association, Abta, said that at least two million people are expected to leave Britain during this time and that the back-to-back bank holiday weekends have increased bookings for the two weeks after Easter as well.

If you spar, you practise fighting with someone or you argue with that person.

"The boxer broke his nose while sparring during a training session."

"Mike and Paul always spar with each other during meetings, but they've been good friends for years."