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Worksheets

Thesaurus Usage

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The coach said the team's performance was "good." If you wanted to make the sentence more exciting and descriptive using a thesaurus, which synonym for "good" would be the best choice?

a)

satisfactory

b)

acceptable

c)

exceptional

d)

decent

2.

A thesaurus can also help you find antonyms (opposites). Match each word to its antonym.

a)

abundant

1.

scarce

b)

courageous

2.

timid

c)

trivial

3.

significant

d)

lethargic

4.

energetic

3.

Synonyms for "talk" can describe the volume of speech. Group the following synonyms into the correct categories.

Categorize the following

whisper

shout

mutter

yell

mumble

scream

To speak quietly
To speak loudly
4.

The old house looked scary. Use the thesaurus options for "scary" to complete the sentence with the most fitting word: The abandoned mansion on the hill, with its broken windows and creaking doors, looked truly (a)   .

Choose from the below words
unsettling
menacing
startling
displeasing
5.

What is the primary purpose of using a thesaurus?

a)

To find the correct spelling and pronunciation of a word.

b)

To find synonyms and antonyms for a word.

c)

To learn the history and origin of a word.

d)

To find the definition and part of speech of a word.

6.

Match each word on the left with its closest synonym on the right.

a)

diligent

1.

hardworking

b)

obsolete

2.

outdated

c)

benevolent

3.

kind

d)

ambiguous

4.

unclear

7.

After looking up "happy" in a thesaurus, choose the best synonym for each context. The crowd was (a)   when their team won the championship, while the boy felt a quiet, (b)   feeling watching the sunset.

Choose from the below words
content
jubilant
pleased
gleeful
8.

If you look up the word "flexible" in a thesaurus, you will find a list of antonyms. Which of the following words would you NOT find in the antonym list for "flexible"?

a)

rigid

b)

stiff

c)

unbending

d)

adaptable

9.

Synonyms for "thin" can have different connotations. Sort the following words into 'Positive/Neutral' and 'Negative' categories.

Categorize the following

slender

scrawny

slim

gaunt

lanky

emaciated

Positive/Neutral
Negative
10.

Maria used a thesaurus to replace "funny" in her sentence: "The comedian's jokes were very funny." She chose the word "peculiar." Why is "peculiar" a poor choice in this context?

a)

Peculiar is an antonym for funny.

b)

Peculiar means 'strange' or 'odd,' which changes the intended meaning.

c)

Peculiar is too formal for a sentence about a comedian.

d)

Peculiar and funny are exact synonyms.

11.

For the base word "brave," match each word to its correct relationship.

a)

courageous

1.

Synonym

b)

fearful

2.

Antonym

c)

valiant

3.

Synonym

d)

timid

4.

Antonym

12.

The instructions for the model airplane were very detailed. Choose the best synonym for "detailed" to complete the sentence: The guide was so (a)   that it included a diagram for every single step.

Choose from the below words
thorough
complicated
lengthy
elaborate
13.

In a thesaurus entry for the word "bright," you might see synonyms like "shining," "intelligent," and "cheerful." Why does a thesaurus group these different-seeming words together?

a)

Because they are all adjectives.

b)

Because the word 'bright' has multiple meanings.

c)

Because they are all antonyms of 'dark'.

d)

Because it's a mistake in the thesaurus.

14.

A thesaurus lists synonyms that often have different levels of intensity. Sort these synonyms for "walk" into categories of movement speed.

Categorize the following

stroll

sprint

trudge

dash

amble

race

Slow Movement
Fast Movement
15.

Match each word to its relationship with the word "ancient."

a)

old

1.

Synonym

b)

modern

2.

Antonym

c)

aged

3.

Synonym

d)

new

4.

Antonym