Dictionary and Thesaurus Skills — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Before picking a synonym from a thesaurus, check that it fits the meaning of your sentence.
Not all synonyms are interchangeable — checking meaning in context prevents awkward or incorrect word choices.
2. The word "happy" has many synonyms, such as joyful, glad, and cheerful .
Happy, joyful, glad, and cheerful are all synonyms that convey positive emotion but with slightly different nuances.
3. An antonym of "brave" that you might find in a thesaurus is cowardly .
Cowardly is the direct antonym of brave — thesaurus entries often include these contrasting words.
4. Not every synonym listed in a thesaurus will work in every sentence .
Context determines whether a synonym is appropriate — always reread the sentence after substituting a word.
5. A thesaurus entry for "big" might include huge, enormous, and large .
Big, large, huge, and enormous are synonyms for large size, though they differ in degree of intensity.
6. When you replace a word with a synonym, reread the sentence to check its tone .
Synonyms can shift the tone of a sentence — a careful re-read ensures the replacement maintains the intended voice.
7. The word "said" can be replaced with replied, whispered, or exclaimed .
Said, replied, whispered, and exclaimed are all synonyms but convey different volumes and emotions.
8. Using precise synonyms helps your reader understand exactly what you mean.
Precise word choice communicates meaning clearly and reduces ambiguity for the reader.
9. A thesaurus may mark antonyms with the abbreviation ant .
The abbreviation "ant." (antonym) is commonly used in thesaurus entries to signal opposite-meaning words.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Cold
→ Chilly
Furious
Fast
→ Swift
Tiny
Small
→ Tiny
Chilly
Angry
→ Furious
Swift
Cold → Chilly; Fast → Swift; Small → Tiny; Angry → Furious.