Synonyms & Antonyms — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which list goes from weakest to strongest in meaning?
A) boiling, hot, warm
B) warm, hot, boiling
C) hot, warm, boiling
D) warm, boiling, hot
Warm is gentle heat, hot is stronger, and boiling is the strongest, so the order is warm, hot, boiling.
2. Which list goes from weakest to strongest in meaning?
A) exhausted, tired, sleepy
B) sleepy, tired, exhausted
C) tired, sleepy, exhausted
D) sleepy, exhausted, tired
Sleepy is a little tired, tired is more, and exhausted means fully worn out, so sleepy, tired, exhausted is correct.
3. Which list goes from weakest to strongest in meaning?
A) giggle, laugh, roar
B) roar, laugh, giggle
C) laugh, giggle, roar
D) giggle, roar, laugh
A giggle is a soft laugh, a regular laugh is louder, and a roar is the strongest, so giggle, laugh, roar is correct.
4. Which list goes from weakest to strongest in meaning?
A) furious, upset, angry
B) upset, angry, furious
C) angry, upset, furious
D) furious, angry, upset
Upset is a little sad or bothered, angry is stronger, and furious is the most angry, so upset, angry, furious is correct.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The soup was only a little warm, so I asked for it to be hot instead.
Hot is a stronger synonym for warm and fits asking for soup with more heat.
2. She was not just sleepy after the long trip, she was totally exhausted.
Exhausted is the strongest synonym for tired and fits being completely worn out.
3. The baby did not cry, it just let out a tiny giggle when tickled.
Giggle is the mildest synonym for laugh and fits a small, soft laugh from a baby.
4. Dad was not just upset, he was truly furious when the vase broke.
Furious is the strongest synonym for angry and fits a very strong feeling of anger.
5. The water was so hot on the stove that it started boiling.
Boiling is the strongest synonym for hot and fits water bubbling on the stove.