Synonyms again
Brinder Aulakh

THIS week it’s synonyms again in the deep end of the pool.

Pair off verbs in Group A with their meanings in Group B.

Group A 1. to toddle 2. to limp 3. to march 4. to stride 5. to plod 6. to waddle 7. to pace 8. to meander.

Group B a) to walk slowly, wasting time

b) to walk laboriously or with effort

c) to walk with slow and regular step

d) to walk like a duck

e) to walk with long steps

f) to walk as if lame

g) to walk smartly in step

h) to walk with short, tottering steps, as a baby does

II First arrange the adjectives in Group I into two sets of synonyms. Next, arrange those in Group II in the same way. Lastly, pair off each group with a group opposite in meaning.

Group I prudent, busy, chary, active, cautious, wary, industrious, energetic

Group II idle, rash, lazy, unoccupied, reckless, impetuous, heedless, indolent.

In each of the following sets of words there are three synonyms and one antonym. Underline the antonym.

1.Congress, assembly, dispersal, conference.

2.Interpret, confuse, expound, explain.

3.Endorse, ratify, confirm, question.

4.Belittle, flatter, underestimate, diparage.

5.Maim, remedy, mar, mutilate.

IV Use each of the following synonymous adjectives to fill in the blanks:

great, large, immense, big huge, vast

1. Look at that __________ caterpillar.

2. Compared with the earth, many of the planets are bodies of ________ size.

3. Lenin was an original thinker and a __________ leader.

4. Undaunted, the traveller set out across the ______ plain.

5. He was a ________ boy for his age.

6. It was a ________ house with seven bedrooms.

V Give a synonym for each of the following nouns:

1. pig 2. physician 3. infant 4. feast 5. serviette 6. knave 7. cluster 8. dispute 9. slender 10. marvellous.

VI Arrange the following adverbs in two groups of synonyms:

conceitedly, arrogantly, bashfully, vainly, meekly, servilely, abjectly, humbly, haughtily, modestly, intolerantly, dictatorially.

VII Use the following synonyms to complete the given sentences:

indecisive, debatable, vague, ambiguous, fallacious

1. It was difficult to award either side the victory in this ______ battle.

2. The word ‘tear’ is ________.

3. I cannot be sure, but I have a _______ idea he said he lived in New York.

4. He could not make up his mind about this ________ point.

5. We quickly exposed his ________ arguments.

I 1 h, 2 f, 3 g, 4 e, 5 b, 6 d, 7 c, 8 a.

II Group I a) prudent, chary, cautious, wary

b) busy, active, industrious, energetic

Group II c) idle, lazy, unoccupied, indolent

d) rash, reckless, impetuous, heedless

a) d), b) c).

III 1 dispersal, 2 confuse, 3 question, 4 flatter, 5 remedy

IV 1 huge, 2 immense, 3 great, 4 vast, 5 big, 6 large

V 1 swine, 2 doctor, 3 baby, 4 banquet, 5 napkin, 6 scoundrel, 7 group, 8 quarrel, 9 slim, 10 wonderful

VI a) conceitedly, arrogantly, vainly, haughtily, intolerantly, dictatorially

b) bashfully, meekly, servilely, abjectly, humbly, modestly

VII 1 indecisive, 2 ambiguous, 3 vague, 4 debatable, 5 fallacious