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 detective was very smart and used clever tricks to solve the mystery quickly.
Corrected: The detective was cunning and used clever tricks to solve the mystery quickly.
In Grade 5 writing, 'cunning' is a precise synonym for clever that adds shade and avoids repeating 'smart' weakly.
2. Fix the sentence:
After losing the game, the coach was very mad and yelled at the referee.
Corrected: After losing the game, the coach was furious and yelled at the referee.
'Furious' is a stronger, more precise synonym for very angry, which fits Grade 5 vocabulary expectations.
3. Fix the sentence:
The hikers felt really tired after climbing the steep mountain all afternoon.
Corrected: The hikers felt exhausted after climbing the steep mountain all afternoon.
'Exhausted' is a precise Grade 5 synonym that replaces a weak two-word phrase with one strong word.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The professor's lecture was so lucid that even the youngest students could follow every idea.
'Lucid' is a sophisticated Grade 5 synonym for clear, often used to describe writing or speech.
2. Although the twins looked alike, their personalities were completely different from each other.
'Different' is the direct antonym of 'similar' and matches the contrast set up by 'although'.
3. The mayor gave a concise speech that lasted only three minutes but said everything important.
'Concise' is a Grade 5 synonym for brief that emphasizes both shortness and clarity.
4. Instead of being arrogant about his trophy, Marcus stayed humble and thanked his teammates.
'Humble' is the antonym of 'arrogant', showing the contrast between pride and modesty.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. List three Grade 5 synonyms for 'angry' and explain which one shows the strongest feeling.
Sample answer: Three synonyms for angry are annoyed, furious, and livid. 'Livid' shows the strongest feeling because it describes someone so angry they can barely speak. 'Annoyed' is the mildest, and 'furious' is in between.
Grade 5 readers should understand that synonyms have shades of meaning, not just identical definitions.
2. Give an antonym pair that involves transparency and explain how the words are opposite.
Sample answer: An antonym pair is transparent and opaque. 'Transparent' means you can see through something completely, like clean glass. 'Opaque' means light cannot pass through at all, like a brick wall. They are opposites because they describe how much light or sight passes through a material.
Understanding antonym pairs like transparent/opaque builds Grade 5 vocabulary used in science and reading.