Quiz: "toll" or "tax"?

The correct answer is: toll

"Sarah's heavy workload has taken its _____ on her health."

If something takes its toll on something, it has a negative effect, and causes damage or suffering.

A toll is the cost or damage resulting from something:

"The financial toll of the recession has been high for small businesses."

A toll is also a fixed charge or tax for a privilege, for example to cross a bridge or travel along a road:

"Our trip to Italy was quite expensive if you consider the cost of the motorway tolls."

A tax is an amount of money that you have to pay to the government so that it can provide public services and pay for government institutions.

Used as a verb, to tax means to cause problems, or to make things difficult for someone:

"John really taxed my patience in the meeting. I wish he wouldn't interrupt me when I'm speaking."

As an adjective, to say something is taxing means it is demanding or burdensome:

"Nicole was exhausted due to a very taxing travel schedule."

Try another:

"I drew the short _____ and had to write the minutes of the meeting."

• drawer
  
• straw