Using Reference Materials

Thesaurus entry: to understand a new word.

Main Entry: loathe

Definition: dislike strongly

Synonyms: abhor, be allergic to, decline, despise, find disgusting, hate, revolt, spurn

Choose the synonym that best clarifies the meaning of the underlined word :

Horses are known to loathe snakes. They are instinctively frightened of the serpents and try to stomp on them, if possible.

• decline

• hate

• be allergic to

• find disgusting

Read the dictionary definition.

hoax [hohks]

noun

1. something intended to deceive or defraud

If Sammy’s broken arm is a hoax, then

• he should go to the hospital.

• he will be in great pain.

• his arm is not really broken.

• he won't be able to swim.

Seja has been given this homework assignment: The word minute has more than one meaning. Find at least two definitions for the word minute.

Which resource will best help Seja complete her assignment?

• a dictionary, because it will provide the word’s correct spelling

• a dictionary, because it will provide the word’s meanings

• a thesaurus, because it will list all the synonyms of the word

• a thesaurus, because it will list all the antonyms of the word

Warren has been given this homework assignment: Find three new words that can be used to describe something large.

Which resource will best help Warren complete his assignment?

• a dictionary, because it will include the word’s correct spelling

• a dictionary, because it will include the word’s meanings

• a thesaurus, because it will list synonyms for the word

• a thesaurus, because it will list antonyms for the word

Amber has been given this homework assignment: Find a word that has the opposite meaning as the word expensive.

Which resource will best help Amber complete her assignment?

• a dictionary, because it provides the word’s correct spelling

• a dictionary, because it provides the word’s definitions

• a thesaurus, because it lists all the synonyms of the word

• a thesaurus, because it lists all the antonyms of the word

Isaiah has been given this homework assignment: Find the meaning of each class spelling word. Then, write a sentence that uses each word.

Which resource will best help Isaiah complete his assignment?

• a dictionary because it will provide the correct pronunciation and multiple meanings

• a dictionary because it will provide definitions and an example of the words used in context

• a thesaurus because it will list all the words with the opposite and same meanings

• a thesaurus because it helps keep writing from become repetitive

Patrick has been given this homework assignment: Make this sentence more interesting. “A long snake went down the mountain.”

Which resource will best help Patrick complete his assignment?

• a dictionary because it will provide many definitions for the word long

• a dictionary because it will provide the correct pronunciation for the word mountain

• a thesaurus because it will list all the antonyms for the word long

• a thesaurus because it will list many words that can be used to replace went

Tyler is editing a story he has written. He notices that he has used the word said many times.

How can Tyler use a resource to best improve his story?

• Tyler can look in a thesaurus to find antonyms for the word said.

• Tyler can look in a thesaurus to find synonyms for the word said.

• Tyler can look in a dictionary to find a pronunciation guide.

• Tyler can look in a dictionary to find the parts of speech.

Madison is giving an oral report on plants. She is not sure how to say photosynthesis aloud.

How can Madison use a resource to best help her with the report?

• Madison can look in a thesaurus to find synonyms for the word photosynthesis.

• Madison can look in a thesaurus to find antonyms for the word photosynthesis.

• Madison can look in a dictionary to find a pronunciation guide.

• Madison can look in a dictionary to find the parts of speech.

Read and use the dictionary entry to answer the question.

identical [i-den-ti-kuhl]

adjective

1. similar in every way

2. the exact same

According to the dictionary entry, which syllable in the word is emphasized?

• i

• den

• ti

• cal

Answer explanation

it is in italics!