Encyclopedias, Glossaries, and Reference Materials Usage

What is the primary purpose of an encyclopedia?

• To list synonyms and antonyms for common words

• To provide in-depth, factual articles on a wide range of subjects

• To define technical terms found only in a specific textbook

• To show detailed maps of countries and cities

Answer explanation

An encyclopedia's main function is to be a comprehensive reference work with detailed articles. A thesaurus lists synonyms, a glossary defines specific terms for one book, and an atlas shows maps.

You are using a multi-volume encyclopedia for a school project. Match each research topic to the correct volume.

• Volume 1: A-Art

• History of animation

• Volume 10: J-Kel

• The life of Marie Curie

• Volume 17: S-Spa

• The sport of skateboarding

• Volume 4: C-Dem

• The planet Jupiter

Answer explanation

To find the correct volume, identify the main keyword of the research topic and find the volume whose alphabetical range includes that keyword. 'Animation' is in Volume 1 (A-Art), 'Jupiter' is in Volume 10 (J-Kel), 'Curie' is in Volume 4 (C-Dem), and 'Skateboarding' is in Volume 17 (S-Spa).

If you were looking up these musicians in an encyclopedia, which entry would you find first?

• Lamar, Kendrick

• Lennon, John

• Lady Gaga

• Lambert, Adam

Answer explanation

Entries are alphabetized by last name. 'Gaga' comes alphabetically before 'Lamar,' 'Lambert,' and 'Lennon.'

Sort each information-finding task by the most appropriate reference source: Encyclopedia, Dictionary, or Glossary.

Groups:

(a) Encyclopedia

,

(b) Dictionary

,

(c) Glossary

• Checking the pronunciation of 'ubiquitous'

• Learning about the history of the internet

• Finding the meaning of a bolded word in a textbook

• Researching the geography of Brazil

Answer explanation

A glossary is best for specific terms in a book, an encyclopedia is for in-depth research on broad topics, and a dictionary is for general word information like pronunciation.

You are looking at a dictionary page with the guide words lumber and luxury. Which word would you find on this page?

• Lunar

• Lunch

• Luminous

• Lullaby

Answer explanation

Guide words indicate the first and last words on a page. 'Lunch' comes alphabetically after 'lumber' and before 'luxury.' The other words fall outside this alphabetical range.

You need to find information for a report about the environmental impact of plastic bottles. What would be the most effective keyword to start your search in an encyclopedia?

• Impact

• Bottles

• Plastic

• Environment

Answer explanation

'Plastic' is the most specific and central noun in the topic. 'Environment' is too broad, while 'bottles' and 'impact' are less likely to be main entry titles for this subject.

You are looking up terms in a science textbook's glossary. Match each term to the pair of guide words for the page where it would be found.

• Plankton - Platypus

• Photosynthesis

• Photon - Phylum

• Pollination

• Pollen - Polymer

• Precipitation

• Precedent - Predicate

• Plateau

Answer explanation

To find the correct page, you must determine if the entry word falls alphabetically between the two guide words. 'Photosynthesis' is between 'Photon' and 'Phylum'. 'Plateau' is between 'Plankton' and 'Platypus'. 'Pollination' is between 'Pollen' and 'Polymer'. 'Precipitation' is between 'Precedent' and 'Predicate'.

What is the main difference between a glossary and a dictionary?

• A glossary is for a specific book, while a dictionary is a general reference.

• A dictionary has pictures, but a glossary does not.

• A glossary is in the front of a book, and a dictionary is in the back.

• A dictionary lists words alphabetically, but a glossary does not.

Answer explanation

A glossary contains definitions for key terms within a single text, whereas a dictionary is a comprehensive book of words and their meanings for an entire language. Both are typically alphabetical.

You are looking for information about the Great Wall of China in a 20-volume encyclopedia. Which volume is the most likely place to find this entry?

• Volume 3: C-CHA

• Volume 7: G-GRE

• Volume 19: W-X-Y-Z

• Volume 2: B-BYZ

Answer explanation

Encyclopedia entries for phrases like 'Great Wall of China' are typically alphabetized under the most significant word, which is 'Great.' Therefore, Volume 7 (G-GRE) is the correct choice.

Sort these historical figures into the order they would appear in an encyclopedia: First Entry, Second Entry, Third Entry, Fourth Entry.

Groups:

(a) First Entry

,

(b) Second Entry

,

(c) Third Entry

,

(d) Fourth Entry

• Washington, Martha

• Adams, John

• Adams, Abigail

• Washington, George

Answer explanation

Entries are alphabetized by last name, then by first name. 'Adams, Abigail' is first, followed by 'Adams, John.' Then 'Washington, George' comes before 'Washington, Martha.'