Spell checks are turning us into a nation of idiots with a third of adults failing to reach the expected spelling ability of an 11-year-old child,a shocking study shows.

    A survey involving 1,000 adults aged between 16 and 77 found that 67 percent would reach Level 4 in Standard Assessment Tests (ASTs),while less than half (44 percent) would achieve Level 5.Fifteen percent of the adults tested even failed to reach Level 3,which is below Level 4—the expected level of children at age 11.Experts blamed the poor showing of the adults on the popularity of tools such as spell check and auto-correct,which both play an important role in modem-day living.

    The study asked adults to complete Key Stage 2 spelling tests designed to judge the performance of children aged 10 and 11,as they reach the end of primary school.But the test spelled trouble for many of the adults tested.The study was charged by King Digital Entertainment,makers of popular mobile games such as Candy Crush.People taking part in the test were asked to spell 35 different words taken from SATs spelling papers from the past three years.In a test which imitated real exam conditions."Phenomenon" and "unnecessary" were among the words spelled wrong by more than half of those participants.Other words which fewer than half were able to spell included rhythmic (42 percent) and jewellery (49 percent).

    Susie Dent.Lexicographer（字典编纂者）and resident word expert on TV show Countdown,believed the results were partly down to the popularity of tools such as spell check and auto-correct.She said,"Tho result is disappointing. It suggests that the ability to spell is losing its importance in our daily lives.Modem tools like spell check and auto-correct encourage us to switch off from learning,leading to satisfaction or,at worst,indifference."