Synonyms and Antonyms — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which group of synonyms for 'confident' has the most negative connotation in Grade 4 writing?
A) self-assured, poised, sure
B) arrogant, smug, cocky
C) calm, steady, certain
D) bold, brave, fearless
'Arrogant', 'smug', and 'cocky' all carry negative connotations of bragging, while the other groups praise the person. Grade 4 students sort synonyms by connotation as part of CCSS L.4.5c.
2. A thesaurus lists clever, smart, sly, and cunning as synonyms. Which two share a more negative connotation about being tricky?
A) clever and smart
B) smart and sly
C) sly and cunning
D) clever and cunning
'Sly' and 'cunning' both suggest sneaky cleverness, while 'clever' and 'smart' praise the mind. Grade 4 thesaurus users notice which synonyms share a negative connotation.
3. Which sentence uses the most fitting Grade 4 synonym for 'said' to show a quiet, scared character?
A) 'Help me,' he shouted, his voice barely moving the air.
B) 'Help me,' he announced, his voice barely moving the air.
C) 'Help me,' he whispered, his voice barely moving the air.
D) 'Help me,' he bellowed, his voice barely moving the air.
'Whispered' fits a voice barely moving the air, while 'shouted', 'announced', and 'bellowed' all suggest loud or public speech. Grade 4 writers match dialogue verbs to the scene.
4. Which Grade 4 synonym for 'old' has the most respectful, positive connotation when describing a wise grandparent?
A) ancient
B) elderly
C) decrepit
D) ancient and crumbling
'Elderly' is respectful, while 'ancient', 'decrepit', and 'ancient and crumbling' all carry harsher or more negative connotations. Grade 4 thesaurus skills include picking polite synonyms.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A synonym with a good or pleasant feeling has a positive connotation.
Positive connotation makes a synonym feel friendly or admiring. Grade 4 students sort synonyms by connotation as part of CCSS L.4.5c precise word choice.
2. A synonym with an unpleasant or harsh feeling has a negative connotation.
Negative connotation makes a synonym feel rude or unkind, even if the dictionary meaning is similar. Grade 4 readers use this idea to weigh thesaurus choices.
3. The exact differences in feeling between synonyms are called shades of meaning.
'Shades of meaning' is a key Grade 4 phrase from CCSS L.4.5c that names the small but important differences between synonyms.
4. The synonym that best matches both the meaning and the feeling of a sentence is the most fitting synonym.
The most 'fitting' synonym matches both meaning and connotation. Grade 4 writers use thesaurus skills and connotation knowledge together to find this word.
5. Words like 'whisper', 'speak', and 'shout' show different volumes, so they have different shades of meaning.
'Whisper', 'speak', and 'shout' are synonyms for using one's voice but show very different volumes, illustrating shades of meaning, a key Grade 4 CCSS L.4.5c idea.