Dictionary and Thesaurus Skills — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
Guide words at the top of a dictionary page show the last word on the previous page.
Corrected: Guide words at the top of a dictionary page show the first and last entry words on that page.
The corrected sentence is: "Guide words at the top of a dictionary page show the first and last entry words on that page.". The original sentence "Guide words at the top of a dictionary page show the last word on the previous page." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
Dictionary entries are arranged by the number of letters in each word.
Corrected: Dictionary entries are arranged in alphabetical order.
The corrected sentence is: "Dictionary entries are arranged in alphabetical order.". The original sentence "Dictionary entries are arranged by the number of letters in each word." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
The pronunciation key in a dictionary tells you what a word means.
Corrected: The pronunciation key in a dictionary tells you how to say a word correctly.
The corrected sentence is: "The pronunciation key in a dictionary tells you how to say a word correctly.". The original sentence "The pronunciation key in a dictionary tells you what a word means." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Words in a dictionary are listed in alphabetical order from A to Z.
Alphabetical order organizes dictionary entries so users can quickly locate any word.
2. The two words printed at the top of each dictionary page are called guide words.
Guide words show the first and last entry words on a page, helping users find words quickly.
3. A dictionary entry usually shows the word, its part of speech, and its definition .
Every dictionary entry includes at minimum the entry word, its part of speech label, and its definition.
4. To find a word quickly, look at its first two or three letters .
Using the first two or three letters to navigate alphabetical order speeds up dictionary look-ups.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. How do guide words help you find a word in the dictionary faster?
Sample answer: Guide words tell you the first and last words on a page, so you can quickly decide if the word you need falls on that page without reading every entry.
Guide words eliminate the need to scan every page, making dictionary searches much more efficient.
2. What information can you find in a single dictionary entry besides the definition?
Sample answer: A dictionary entry can show the pronunciation, part of speech, example sentences, word origin, and sometimes a picture.
Dictionary entries contain multiple layers of information beyond just the definition.