Encyclopedias, Glossaries, and Reference Materials Usage

You are reading a science textbook about planets and see the word "nebula." To find a quick definition of this specific term as used in that book, where should you look first?

• The book's glossary

• An encyclopedia

• A dictionary

• The book's table of contents

Answer explanation

A glossary provides definitions for special terms used within a specific book, making it the quickest and most relevant resource. A dictionary has general definitions, an encyclopedia has detailed articles, and the table of contents lists chapters.

You are writing a report on the history of video games and need to find information about the Nintendo Entertainment System. Which volume of an encyclopedia would you use?

• Volume 12 (M-N)

• Volume 13 (O-P)

• Volume 20 (T-U)

• Volume 22 (V-W)

Answer explanation

To find "Nintendo," you should look under the letter 'N'. Volume 12 (M-N) is the only one that includes entries starting with 'N'.

Match each set of encyclopedia entries to the entry that would appear FIRST in an alphabetized list.

• River

• Saint Bernard, Saint Louis, Saint Paul

• New Hampshire

• New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey

• Jackson, Andrew

• Jackson, Michael; Jackson, Andrew; Jackson, Janet

• Saint Bernard

• River, Road, Rock

Answer explanation

Entries are alphabetized letter by letter. 'River' comes before 'Road.' 'Andrew' comes before 'Janet.' 'Bernard' comes before 'Louis.' 'New Hampshire' comes before 'New Jersey.'

A dictionary page has the guide words "lizard" and "local." Which of the following words could be found on this page?

• live

• load

• location

• little

Answer explanation

Guide words show the first and last words on a page. "Load" comes alphabetically between "lizard" and "local." The other words fall outside this alphabetical range.

Your teacher has assigned different research tasks. Sort each task into the category for the BEST reference material to use: Encyclopedia or Dictionary.

Groups:

(a) Encyclopedia

,

(b) Dictionary

• Learn about the major battles of the American Revolution.

• Find the part of speech for "illuminate."

• Find a brief definition of "photosynthesis."

• Get a detailed overview of the Amazon Rainforest.

Answer explanation

An encyclopedia is best for in-depth articles on broad topics like historical events and places. A dictionary is best for specific information about words, such as definitions and parts of speech.

You want to find out about the different types of sports played in ancient Greece. What would be the best keyword to look up in an encyclopedia?

• sports

• ancient

• types

• Greece, ancient

Answer explanation

"Greece, ancient" is the most specific keyword that covers both the subject and the time period. "Sports" is too broad, while "ancient" and "types" are not the main subjects.

Of the following names, which one would appear LAST in an encyclopedia's index?

• Washington, Booker T.

• Washington, D.C.

• Washington, George

• Washington, DeWitte

Answer explanation

When alphabetizing entries that start with the same word, you compare the next word or initial letter-by-letter. Comparing the words that follow 'Washington,': 'Booker T.' comes first, followed by 'D.C.', then 'DeWitte'. 'George' comes last alphabetically, so 'Washington, George' would be the final entry in this list.

Match each information need to the purpose of the correct reference source.

• Provides definitions for key terms within a single book (Glossary).

• Find a detailed article on the history of computers.

• Provides in-depth information on a wide range of subjects (Encyclopedia).

• Look up the definition and pronunciation of "velocity."

• Provides word meanings, spellings, and parts of speech (Dictionary).

• Understand a specific term used in a science textbook.

Answer explanation

An encyclopedia provides detailed articles on subjects like the history of computers. A dictionary focuses on word information, such as the definition of 'velocity.' A glossary provides definitions for key terms within a specific book, like a science textbook.

You are looking for the entry "Cleopatra" in an encyclopedia. Which pair of guide words would lead you to the correct page?

• Clay / Clerk

• Climate / Clock

• Close / Cloud

• Coach / Coal

Answer explanation

"Cleopatra" comes alphabetically between "Clay" and "Clerk." It comes before "Climate," "Close," and "Coach," so it would not be on those pages.

A multi-volume encyclopedia is organized as shown. Sort the research topics into the correct volume where you would find them. Volumes: Vol. 3 (Ca-Ci), Vol. 8 (H-I), Vol. 16 (P-Q).

Groups:

(a) Vol. 3 (Ca-Ci)

,

(b) Vol. 8 (H-I)

,

(c) Vol. 16 (P-Q)

• Chariots

• Irrigation

• Pyramids

• Hieroglyphics

• Cats (Ancient Egypt)

• Pharaohs

Answer explanation

Topics are sorted into the encyclopedia volume that corresponds with the first letter of the keyword: 'C' words in Vol. 3, 'H' and 'I' words in Vol. 8, and 'P' words in Vol. 16.