Synonyms and Antonyms — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The newspaper reported that the elderly neighbor 'passed away,' a gentle euphemism for died on Saturday.
'Died' is the direct synonym for the Grade 5 euphemism 'passed away'.
2. When the company said employees were 'let go,' they really meant the workers were fired from their jobs.
'Fired' is the direct Grade 5 synonym that 'let go' politely replaces.
3. Calling a small house 'cozy' is a euphemism that softens the more direct synonym cramped for the same idea.
'Cramped' is the direct synonym 'cozy' euphemizes when describing small spaces.
4. Saying a student is 'between jobs' is a euphemism for being unemployed, which sounds more direct and blunt.
'Unemployed' is the precise synonym that 'between jobs' euphemizes.
5. The veterinarian 'put the old dog to sleep,' which is a kind euphemism for euthanizing the pet humanely.
'Euthanizing' is the direct synonym that the gentle euphemism 'put to sleep' replaces.
6. Describing trash collectors as 'sanitation workers' uses a respectful synonym instead of the blunt word garbagemen.
'Garbagemen' is the direct synonym that 'sanitation workers' politely upgrades in Grade 5 writing.
7. Calling someone 'economical' instead of cheap is a euphemism that puts a positive spin on the same trait.
'Cheap' is the direct synonym 'economical' softens with a kinder tone.
8. When a coach calls a player 'undersized,' it is a euphemism for the more direct synonym small in sports writing.
'Small' is the plain synonym that 'undersized' politely replaces.
9. Calling a used car 'pre-owned' is a marketing euphemism for the simpler, more direct synonym used vehicle.
'Used' is the direct synonym that 'pre-owned' euphemizes in advertising.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
passed away
→ died
used
let go
→ fired
unemployed
between jobs
→ unemployed
fired
pre-owned
→ used
died
Matching euphemisms to direct synonyms helps Grade 5 students see how word choice affects tone.