Components of a dictionary entry

In a dictionary entry, which component is the word being defined, usually shown in bold?

• The pronunciation

• The headword

• The definition

• The part of speech

Answer explanation

The headword is the main word listed at the beginning of a dictionary entry that all the other information describes. The other options are different components of the entry.

Match each dictionary abbreviation to the part of speech it represents.

• Noun (a person, place, or thing)

• n.

• Verb (an action or state of being)

• v.

• Adjective (a word that describes a noun)

• adj.

Answer explanation

Dictionaries use standard abbreviations to save space. 'n.' stands for noun, 'v.' for verb, and 'adj.' for adjective, each indicating a word's grammatical function.

Read the sentence: "The director will conduct auditions for the school play." Which definition of conduct is being used?

• The way a person behaves

• To lead or guide a performance

• A material that allows heat to pass through

• To carry something from one place to another

Answer explanation

In this context, 'conduct' is a verb meaning to lead or manage an event like an audition. The other options refer to different meanings of 'conduct' or related words.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

Look at the pronunciation for giggle (/ˈɡɪɡ.əl/). Sort the parts of the pronunciation guide into the correct categories: What It Shows or What It Is.

Groups:

(a) Shows the stressed syllable

,

(b) Represents the sounds in the word

• ɡɪɡ

• ˈ

• əl

Answer explanation

The symbol 'ˈ' is a stress mark, indicating which syllable is said with more force. The other symbols (/ɡɪɡ/ and /əl/) are phonetic symbols representing the actual sounds in the word.

The word record can be a noun or a verb. In which sentence is record used as a noun?

• Please record your answer on the sheet.

• She hopes to break the world record.

• Did you record the show for me?

• I will record my thoughts in a journal.

Answer explanation

In this sentence, 'record' is a thing (the highest achievement), making it a noun. In the other sentences, 'record' is an action (to write down or capture), making it a verb.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

Match each dictionary component to its primary function.

• Explains the meaning of the word

• Headword

• The word being explained

• Pronunciation

• Shows how to say the word

• Definition

Answer explanation

Each component of a dictionary entry has a specific job: the headword identifies the word, the pronunciation shows how it sounds, and the definition explains what it means.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4D

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

In a dictionary entry, what is the main purpose of the symbols found in parentheses, like /năv′ĭ-gāt′/?

• To show the word's origin

• To list synonyms for the word

• To provide a guide for how to pronounce the word

• To indicate the word's part of speech

Answer explanation

The phonetic symbols in a pronunciation guide are designed to show the correct sounds and stress patterns for saying a word out loud.

A dictionary shows that the word frequent can be a verb or an adjective. Sort the sentences into categories based on which part of speech is used: Adjective or Verb.

Groups:

(a) Adjective (describes a noun)

,

(b) Verb (shows an action)

• He began to frequent the library.

• That is a frequent mistake.

• We made frequent stops for gas.

• Do you frequent this cafe?

Answer explanation

As an adjective, 'frequent' describes something that happens often (frequent stops, frequent mistake). As a verb, 'frequent' means to visit a place often.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

You are writing a story and are unsure how to spell a word. Which part of a dictionary entry would be most helpful to check?

• The definition

• The pronunciation guide

• The part of speech

• The headword

Answer explanation

The headword shows the correct, standard spelling of a word, making it the first place to look to verify spelling.

The word object has multiple meanings. Match each sentence to the correct definition of object being used.

• (n.) a physical thing that can be seen or touched

• The object of the game is to score points.

• (v.) to express disapproval or disagreement

• The mysterious object fell from the sky.

• (n.) a goal or purpose

• I object to your unfair accusation!

Answer explanation

The meaning of 'object' changes based on context and part of speech. It can be a noun meaning a 'thing' or a 'goal', or a verb meaning 'to disagree'.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C