Synonyms and Antonyms Practice

Name:

Date:

📘 Part 1: What are synonyms and antonyms?

Definition:

Synonym: A word that has a similar meaning to another word (e.g. small and tiny).

Antonym: A word that has the opposite meaning to another word (e.g. loud and quiet).

Success criteria

I can: 1) explain what a synonym and an antonym are; 2) find synonyms and antonyms in a short text; 3) write a suitable synonym or antonym for a given word.

Differentiation strategies

Support: Provide a word bank of simple synonyms/antonyms and work in pairs. Read the paragraph aloud with the student.

Extension: Ask students to rewrite a sentence using a chosen synonym or antonym to change the meaning or tone.

Dyslexia-friendly reading options

1) Use larger spacing and clear font; 2) print on coloured paper or provide coloured overlays; 3) read the paragraph aloud or provide an audio version; 4) highlight key words in a contrasting colour.

✏️ Part 2: Practice

1. Which pair are synonyms?

loud / quiet

tiny / small

calm / frightened

2. Which pair are antonyms?

bright / sunny

loud / quiet

small / tiny

3. Check all that are synonyms of happy:

joyful

sad

pleased

4. Read the short paragraph below. On your printed copy, underline pairs of words that are synonyms or antonyms. Then write each pair in the boxes and mark them S (synonym) or A (antonym).

On a bright morning the tiny kitten crept through the garden. It was small and calm, barely making a sound. Suddenly a loud crow cawed nearby; the kitten went from calm to frightened and ran away. Later the kitten returned, quiet and gentle, and lay in the warm sun.

Write the pairs you found (4 examples):

Write each like: tiny / small — S or loud / quiet — A

5. Write a synonym and an antonym for each word:

a) happy — Synonym: _______ Antonym: _______

b) cold — Synonym: _______ Antonym: _______

6. Challenge (optional): Replace the underlined word in this sentence with a synonym to keep the same meaning: "The quiet bird rested on the branch."