Synonyms

Which of the following words is a synonym for essential?

• Optional

• Crucial

• Unimportant

• Extra

Answer explanation

The word 'essential' means absolutely necessary or extremely important. 'Crucial' is a synonym because it also means decisive or critical. The other options are antonyms or unrelated.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Match each word to its closest synonym.

• Unclear

• Adequate

• Hardworking

• Diligent

• Strange

• Vague

• Sufficient

• Bizarre

Answer explanation

Each word is matched with another word that has a very similar meaning: 'adequate' means sufficient, 'bizarre' means strange, 'diligent' means hardworking, and 'vague' means unclear.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Choose the best synonym to complete the sentence: The comedian's jokes were so ________ that the entire audience was crying with laughter.

• amusing

• dull

• hilarious

• offensive

Answer explanation

'Hilarious' means extremely amusing and is the best fit for a context where people are crying with laughter. 'Amusing' is a synonym for 'funny' but lacks the same intensity.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Sort the following word pairs into the correct categories: Synonyms or Antonyms.

Groups:

(a) Synonyms

,

(b) Antonyms

• generous / selfish

• brief / concise

• furious / irate

• calm / agitated

Answer explanation

Synonyms have similar meanings (furious/irate, brief/concise), while antonyms have opposite meanings (generous/selfish, calm/agitated).

Instead of saying the old man 'walked' slowly, which synonym best suggests he moved in a tired, heavy-footed way?

• strolled

• sprinted

• trudged

• skipped

Answer explanation

'Trudged' specifically implies walking slowly with heavy steps, typically due to exhaustion or difficult conditions. The other options suggest different types of movement.

Match each vocabulary word to its synonym.

• Tough

• Modify

• Change

• Perceive

• Important

• Resilient

• Notice

• Significant

Answer explanation

Each word is paired with its synonym: 'perceive' means to notice, 'modify' means to change, 'significant' means important, and 'resilient' means tough or able to recover quickly.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

In the sentence, 'The teacher's instructions were ambiguous, so we weren't sure how to start the project,' what does 'ambiguous' mean?

• Loud and clear

• Helpful and detailed

• Unclear or having more than one meaning

• Strict and demanding

Answer explanation

The context clue 'we weren't sure how to start' indicates that the instructions were not clear. 'Ambiguous' is a synonym for unclear.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.2F

Which word is a synonym for tenacious?

• Persistent

• Weak

• Lazy

• Hesitant

Answer explanation

'Tenacious' means holding firmly to something, like a belief or a course of action. 'Persistent' is a direct synonym. The other options are antonyms.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Group these words into two categories based on their meaning: Words for 'Happy' or Words for 'Sad'.

Groups:

(a) Words for 'Happy'

,

(b) Words for 'Sad'

• Ecstatic

• Somber

• Joyful

• Dejected

• Gleeful

• Melancholy

Answer explanation

The words are sorted into two groups of synonyms. 'Joyful,' 'ecstatic,' and 'gleeful' are all synonyms for 'happy.' 'Melancholy,' 'somber,' and 'dejected' are all synonyms for 'sad.'

Which synonym for 'tired' best completes the sentence: After running the marathon, I felt completely ________.

• drowsy

• exhausted

• lazy

• calm

Answer explanation

'Exhausted' means extremely tired, which is the most appropriate word for the intense effort of running a marathon. 'Drowsy' implies sleepiness, which is less specific.