Dictionary

Dictionary Skills - A Story

Long ago, in ancient times before Google was created, old people like your teachers, had to look words up in a book called a dictionary. :) Dictionaries still exist in current times, but we usually use Google to look up words. However, Dictionary Skills are still important because they help with critical thinking, and this lesson will help you understand what a dictionary definition offers even if it is from Google. The end.

Multiple Choice

How many syllables are in the word "education"?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

How many of these definitions are verbs?

• 2

• 3

• 1

• none

Multiple Choice

How many definitions does the word "knot" have?

• 5

• 4

• 3

• 6

Multiple Choice

Refer to the dictionary entry in the photo: What part of speech is the word trepidation?

• noun

• verb

• adjective

• preposition

Multiple Choice

This explains the meaning of the word. If there is more than one meaning, the definition is divided by numbers.

• irregular form

• definition

• pronunciation

• part of speech

Multiple Choice

Refer to the dictionary entry in the photo: From what language does the word contour originate?

• English

• French

• American

• Latin

Multiple Choice

This tells you how to pronounce the entry word. The ' tells you which syllable to stress.

• definition

• guide words

• pronunciation

• irregular form

Multiple Choice

Based on this dictionary entry, which of the following sentences matches this meaning of the word "bark"?

• The pine tree's bark was sticky with sap. 

• That dog's bark is worse than his bite. 

• I barked my shin on the coffee table. 

Multiple Choice

How many definitions does the word "knot" have?

• 5

• 4

• 3

• 6

Multiple Choice

Dictionaries can have a lot of pages. When you want to find a word in the dictionary, don't start from page one and read until you find it. That could take a very long time. Instead, open the dictionary where you think the word will be based on the alphabet. If it starts with an L, it's probably near the middle of the dictionary. If it starts with an X, it's going to be closer to the back. From there, use the guide words. Those are words at the top of a page that tell you the first and last words you can find on that page. Keep flipping until the word you're looking for comes between the guide words on the page. Then, use what you know about alphabetizing to find the entry for the word you want. Remember: if you're looking for a plural noun or a verb, look up the "base word." You might not find "juggled" in the dictionary, but you'll find "juggle."

Which of these could be the guide words on the page where you would find an entry for the word "indicate"?

• incident - inoculate

• ingratiate - inhibit

• initial - innkeeper

• inbound - inch

Multiple Choice

Which word comes LAST in ABC order?
pixie, pizza, place, pit

• pixie

• pizza

• place

• pit

Multiple Choice

Which word comes FIRST in ABC order?
tree, rock, queen, plate

• tree

• rock

• queen

• plate

Multiple Choice

What do you call the words at the top of the page that help you find the book?

• guide words

• entry word

Multiple Choice

television - would be between what two words?
   

• flipper-garage

• palace - roof

• outstanding-pianist

• spaces - traded 

Multiple Choice

This is a:

• guide word

• pronunciation guide

• definition

• synonym

Multiple Choice

What word comes first in the dictionary?

• Cucumber

• Jogging

• Zebra

• Elephant

Multiple Choice

Words in the dictionary are in

• chronological order

• ABC order

• no specific order