Using a Thesaurus to Choose Words

English · Vocabulary · ages 10-11

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Sam keeps using the word 'nice' in his story. What could a thesaurus help him do?
- Check if 'nice' is spelled correctly
- Find synonyms like 'pleasant' to use
- Find the opposite of 'nice'
What is a thesaurus mainly used for?
- Finding words with similar meanings
- Finding how to spell a word
- Finding the meaning of a word you don't know
A thesaurus will tell you exactly which synonym to use in every sentence.
Circle one: True False
Which word most strongly suggests unhealthy thinness?
- scrawny
- slim
- skinny
Ben burst through the door and ____, 'We won the match!' A thesaurus lists whispered, shouted, and mumbled for 'said'. Which fits best?
- whispered
- mumbled
- shouted
A thesaurus lists 6 synonyms for 'said': whispered, shouted, mumbled, muttered, replied, announced. Priya picks exactly 3 for her story. How many are left over?
Answer: ______________
Tom writes: 'The kitten was furious as it napped in the sun.' What went wrong with his word choice?
- 'Furious' is spelled incorrectly
- 'Furious' cannot be found in a thesaurus
- 'Furious' means very angry, which does not fit a calm, sleeping kitten
Priya is writing a formal letter to her principal. She swaps 'get' for 'grab' from the thesaurus. What is the problem?
- 'Grab' is not a synonym for 'get'
- 'Grab' sounds too casual for a formal letter
- 'Grab' means the opposite of 'get'

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Find synonyms like 'pleasant' to use · A thesaurus offers synonyms so Sam can swap 'nice' for something fresher, not check spelling or find opposites.
Finding words with similar meanings · A thesaurus lists synonyms, words that mean nearly the same thing as the word you look up.
False · A thesaurus gives you a list of options. You still have to choose the one that fits your sentence.
scrawny · 'Scrawny' suggests thin in an unhealthy way, while 'slim' sounds like a compliment. Same meaning, different connotation.
shouted · Bursting in with exciting news matches a loud, excited word. 'Whispered' and 'mumbled' both sound too quiet for this moment.
3 · 6 synonyms minus the 3 Priya chose leaves 3 left over.
'Furious' means very angry, which does not fit a calm, sleeping kitten · Tom likely meant a word like 'peaceful' or 'content'. 'Furious' means very angry, the opposite feeling of a napping kitten.
'Grab' sounds too casual for a formal letter · 'Grab' is a real synonym for 'get', but its casual tone clashes with the formal register a letter to a principal needs.