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 senators voted to dissent with the proposal because they all loved the idea.
Corrected: The senators voted to concur with the proposal because they all loved the idea.
Concur means to agree, while dissent, its antonym, means to disagree, so loving the idea calls for concur.
2. Fix the sentence:
After the long drought, water became abundant and families had to ration every drop.
Corrected: After the long drought, water became scarce and families had to ration every drop.
Scarce means in short supply, the antonym of abundant, which means plentiful and easy to find.
3. Fix the sentence:
Although her team was losing badly, the pessimistic captain cheered everyone on confidently.
Corrected: Although her team was losing badly, the optimistic captain cheered everyone on confidently.
Optimistic means hopeful and positive, the antonym of pessimistic, which means expecting the worst.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The committee members did not all agree; several chose to dissent from the majority opinion.
Dissent is the formal antonym of concur, used when someone disagrees with a group decision.
2. Apples were so abundant this autumn that orchards practically gave them away by the bushel.
Abundant means existing in great supply, the antonym of scarce, which means rare or limited.
3. Balloons expand when warmed in sunlight but contract when the air inside cools again.
Expand means to grow larger, the antonym of contract, which means to become smaller or shrink.
4. Our cabin is proximate to the lake, while the campground is several miles away in the distance.
Proximate means close or nearby, the sophisticated antonym of distant, which means far away.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Compare the antonym pair optimistic and pessimistic. What attitude does each word reveal?
Sample answer: Optimistic reveals a hopeful attitude that expects good outcomes, while pessimistic reveals a gloomy attitude that anticipates bad results. Together they form an antonym pair describing opposite outlooks on life.
Sophisticated antonym pairs help readers understand contrasting viewpoints in stories, debates, and persuasive writing.
2. Why are concur and dissent considered formal antonyms instead of just opposites like yes and no?
Sample answer: Concur and dissent are formal antonyms because they appear in official, academic, and legal contexts. They carry a register more sophisticated than yes and no, which are casual everyday opposites used in conversation.
Recognizing register helps Grade 5 writers match vocabulary to the audience and tone of their writing.