Dictionary and Thesaurus Skills — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Words like "warm," "hot," and "scorching" show different shades of meaning for temperature.
"Warm," "hot," and "scorching" all describe heat, but each word shows a different intensity level -- these varying levels are called shades of meaning.
2. A thesaurus groups synonyms so that the mildest word comes first and the strongest word comes last.
Thesaurus entries often arrange synonyms from mildest to strongest so you can see the range, like "warm" at one end and "scorching" at the other.
3. Replacing "good" with "excellent" makes your writing more precise .
"Excellent" paints a clearer picture than the vague word "good" because it tells the reader exactly how high the quality is, making your writing more precise.
4. A thesaurus labels each entry with its part of speech so you choose the right form.
Knowing the part of speech prevents mistakes like swapping a noun synonym into a spot where you need a verb, so the thesaurus labels each entry clearly.
5. The word "ate" can be replaced with "devoured" to show someone ate very quickly .
"Devoured" is a stronger synonym for "ate" that suggests eating very quickly and hungrily, adding vivid detail that the plain word "ate" does not provide.
6. Cross-references in a thesaurus point you to related entries for more word choices.
Cross-references guide you to related entries -- for example, looking up "happy" might link you to "joy" or "cheerful," expanding your word choices.
7. Choosing "whispered" instead of "said" tells the reader the speaker was being quiet .
"Whispered" tells the reader the speaker was being quiet and possibly secretive, adding detail that the generic word "said" cannot convey.
8. Writers avoid repeating the same word by finding synonyms in a thesaurus.
Using the same word over and over makes writing repetitive, so finding synonyms in a thesaurus lets you swap in fresh words that keep the reader interested.
9. A formal essay needs formal synonyms, while a friendly letter can use informal ones.
The tone of your writing determines which synonyms fit best -- a school essay calls for formal words, but a letter to a friend can use casual, informal ones.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each overused word to a stronger synonym.
Sad
→ Heartbroken
Terrified
Funny
→ Hilarious
Heartbroken
Scared
→ Terrified
Stunning
Pretty
→ Stunning
Hilarious
Correct matches: Sad → Heartbroken; Funny → Hilarious; Scared → Terrified; Pretty → Stunning.