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 student was not proud and gave credit to his teacher and classmates after winning.
Corrected: The student was humble and gave credit to his teacher and classmates after winning.
'Humble' is a more precise Grade 5 word than the weak phrase 'not proud' and fits the antonym pair humble/arrogant.
2. Fix the sentence:
The lake water was not clear at all, and we could not see any fish below the surface.
Corrected: The lake water was opaque, and we could not see any fish below the surface.
'Opaque' is the precise antonym of transparent and is stronger than 'not clear at all'.
3. Fix the sentence:
The ancient castle had walls that were really old and thick, surrounding the courtyard.
Corrected: The ancient castle had walls that were massive and thick, surrounding the courtyard.
'Massive' is a Grade 5 synonym that adds power and avoids the repetitive 'ancient... old' pairing.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The detective examined every detail of the scene with meticulous attention before drawing conclusions.
'Meticulous' is a precise Grade 5 synonym for careful that emphasizes thoroughness.
2. Although her friend was generous, Lila acted stingy and refused to share her snacks at lunch.
'Stingy' is the direct antonym of generous, showing opposite attitudes about sharing.
3. The fans showed tremendous excitement when their team scored the winning goal in overtime.
'Tremendous' is a Grade 5 synonym for huge that pairs naturally with feelings like excitement.
4. Speaking softly is the opposite of shouting, and both have their proper time and place.
'Opposite' is the relationship antonyms share and is core Grade 5 vocabulary for this lesson.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Explain the antonym pair humble and arrogant using your own example sentence for each word.
Sample answer: Humble and arrogant are antonyms. A humble person stays modest about their success: 'After scoring three goals, Maya humbly thanked her teammates.' An arrogant person brags loudly: 'Lucas arrogantly told everyone he was the best player on the field.' Humble shows modesty; arrogant shows excessive pride.
Crafting original sentences with antonym pairs deepens Grade 5 understanding of word meanings.
2. Why might a Grade 5 writer choose 'tremendous' instead of 'big' to describe an event?
Sample answer: A Grade 5 writer might choose 'tremendous' instead of 'big' because tremendous shows much greater size or importance. 'Big' is plain and overused, while 'tremendous' tells the reader the event was unusually large or powerful. Precise synonyms make writing more interesting and exact.
Choosing precise synonyms over weak words is a key Grade 5 writing skill that improves clarity and tone.