Synonyms and Antonyms — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The freezing breeze felt nice on the warm spring afternoon.
Corrected: The cool breeze felt nice on the warm spring afternoon.
In Grade 4 we learn shades of meaning. 'Freezing' is the most intense word for cold, so it does not fit a pleasant warm day. 'Cool' is a milder synonym that matches the gentle, comfortable feeling described in the sentence.
2. Fix the sentence:
I adore vanilla ice cream, but I love chocolate even more than that.
Corrected: I like vanilla ice cream, but I love chocolate even more than that.
Grade 4 students compare shades of meaning. 'Adore' is stronger than 'love', so saying you adore one flavor but love another more reverses the intensity. 'Like' is the mildest synonym and fits when the second flavor is the favorite.
3. Fix the sentence:
She whispered her answer so loudly that everyone in the back row heard.
Corrected: She shouted her answer so loudly that everyone in the back row heard.
These three words share a meaning but have different shades. 'Whisper' means very quiet, so it cannot be loud. 'Shouted' is the precise synonym that matches a voice loud enough to reach the back row in Grade 4 writing.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Between chilly, cool, cold, and freezing, the strongest word for very low temperature is freezing.
All four words are synonyms, but they have different shades of meaning. 'Freezing' shows the highest intensity, while 'chilly' shows the lowest. Grade 4 readers learn to order synonyms by strength.
2. A synonym for 'happy' that shows a stronger feeling than 'glad' is thrilled.
'Glad' is a mild synonym for happy, while 'thrilled' shows a much stronger shade of meaning. Choosing precise synonyms helps Grade 4 writers show exactly how a character feels.
3. The opposite, or antonym, of the word 'generous' is stingy.
Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. 'Generous' people give freely, while 'stingy' people hold back. Grade 4 students build vocabulary by learning nuanced antonym pairs like this.
4. A word that means the opposite of 'cautious' and describes someone who acts without thinking is reckless.
'Cautious' means careful and thoughtful, while 'reckless' means careless and unsafe. Grade 4 readers expand their vocabulary by pairing precise antonyms beyond simple opposites like big and small.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. List the synonyms chilly, cool, cold, and freezing in order from weakest to strongest. Explain why a thesaurus is helpful for Grade 4 writers when picking among these words.
Sample answer: From weakest to strongest the order is cool, chilly, cold, freezing. A thesaurus is helpful because it lists synonyms with similar meanings, so Grade 4 writers can pick the precise word that matches the shade of meaning they want, instead of repeating the same plain word over and over.
Ordering synonyms by intensity is a key Grade 4 skill from CCSS L.4.5c. A thesaurus helps writers find precise words and avoid repetition while keeping the right shade of meaning.
2. Give an antonym for 'optimistic' and an antonym for 'courageous'. Then write one Grade 4 sentence that uses both antonyms correctly.
Sample answer: An antonym for optimistic is pessimistic, and an antonym for courageous is cowardly. Sentence: The pessimistic and cowardly knight expected the worst and ran away from the dragon instead of fighting it bravely with his loyal Grade 4 friends.
Pairing nuanced antonyms like optimistic and pessimistic shows Grade 4 mastery beyond simple opposites and supports CCSS L.4.5c work with shades of meaning.