Synonyms And Antonyms

After finally beating the difficult level, Leo felt a sense of triumph. Which word is a synonym for triumph?

• Victory

• Failure

• Confusion

• Boredom

Answer explanation

'Triumph' means a great victory or achievement. 'Victory' is the closest synonym. The other options are either antonyms or unrelated feelings.

Match each word to its antonym (a word with the opposite meaning).

• Cowardly

• Brave

• Complicated

• Simple

• Selfish

• Generous

Answer explanation

Each word is paired with its direct opposite in meaning. 'Generous' (giving) is the opposite of 'selfish' (taking), 'brave' is the opposite of 'cowardly', and 'simple' is the opposite of 'complicated'.

Sort these words into two groups: Words for 'Happy' or Words for 'Sad'.

Groups:

(a) Words for 'Happy'

,

(b) Words for 'Sad'

• Miserable

• Somber

• Delighted

• Gloomy

• Joyful

• Cheerful

Answer explanation

The words are sorted based on whether they describe a positive emotion (happy) or a negative one (sad). 'Joyful', 'cheerful', and 'delighted' are synonyms for happy, while 'gloomy', 'miserable', and 'somber' are synonyms for sad.

The library was so serene that you could hear a pin drop. Which word is an antonym for serene?

• Chaotic

• Peaceful

• Quiet

• Calm

Answer explanation

'Serene' means calm and peaceful. 'Chaotic,' which means disorderly and confused, is the opposite. The other options are synonyms for 'serene'.

Why might an author describe a character's smile as 'sinister' instead of just 'unfriendly'?

• To suggest the character has evil or harmful intentions.

• To show the character is just having a bad day.

• To make the character seem more popular.

• To imply the character is shy.

Answer explanation

While both words are negative, 'sinister' implies a level of evil or malice that 'unfriendly' does not. It creates a more threatening effect on the reader.

Match each word to its synonym (a word with a similar meaning).

• Minuscule

• Quick

• Huge

• Tiny

• Rapid

• Enormous

Answer explanation

Each word is matched with another word that has a very similar meaning. 'Enormous' and 'huge' both mean very large, 'tiny' and 'minuscule' both mean very small, and 'quick' and 'rapid' both mean fast.

What is an antonym?

• A word that has the opposite meaning of another word.

• A word that has the same meaning as another word.

• A word that sounds the same as another word.

• A word that is spelled the same but has a different meaning.

Answer explanation

An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word, like 'hot' and 'cold' or 'up' and 'down'.

Classify each word pair as either 'Synonyms' or 'Antonyms'.

Groups:

(a) Synonyms

,

(b) Antonyms

• fast-slow

• happy-joyful

• wet-dry

• big-large

• hot-cold

• begin-start

Answer explanation

The pairs are sorted based on their relationship. Synonyms (like 'big' and 'large') have similar meanings, while antonyms (like 'hot' and 'cold') have opposite meanings.

Choose the best word to complete the sentence: The old, abandoned house looked ________ on the stormy night.

• Cheerful

• Menacing

• Ordinary

• Vibrant

Answer explanation

'Menacing,' which means threatening or dangerous, best fits the spooky context of an abandoned house on a stormy night. The other words have positive or neutral connotations.

Which word is an antonym for ancient?

• Modern

• Old

• Historic

• Aged

Answer explanation

'Ancient' refers to something from the very distant past. 'Modern' refers to the present or recent times, making it the direct opposite. The other options are synonyms for 'ancient'.