🔍 Understanding How to Find Antonyms in Context

Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings. For example, the antonym of hot is cold, and the antonym of happy is sad. Finding antonyms in context means locating these opposite words by looking carefully at the clues in the sentences around them.

To find antonyms in context, you need to read the sentence or paragraph carefully and look for words or phrases that suggest a change or contrast. Sometimes, sentences will use words like but, however, or although to show this difference. Other times, the meaning of the sentence will help you spot an antonym because it will describe the opposite feeling, action, or description.

For example, in the sentence:
“The day was bright and sunny, but the night was dark and cold.”
The antonyms are bright and dark, and sunny and cold. You know this because the word but signals a contrast, and night is the opposite of day.

Another example is:
“He felt tired after the long walk, yet he was still excited to see the movie.”
Here, the antonyms are tired and excited because these words show opposite feelings. The word yet helps us understand the change in mood.

When you practise finding antonyms in context, look for these clues:

  • Words like but, however, although
  • Opposite ideas or feelings in the sentences
  • Descriptions that don’t match or contrast with each other

Remember, practising this skill helps you understand how writers use language to create contrast and make stories more interesting! 📚✨

📝 Practice Questions: Finding Antonyms in Context with Answers

Here are 20 examination-style questions designed to help Year 6 students practise finding antonyms in context. Each question shows a sentence where you need to identify the word’s antonym from the options provided. This exercise follows the UK National Curriculum guidance for English in Key Stage 2.

❓ Questions

  1. The room was very bright in the morning sunlight. Which word means the opposite of bright?

    a) Light

    b) Dark

    c) Colourful

    d) Shiny
  2. She felt happy when she received the good news. Which word means the opposite of happy?

    a) Excited

    b) Sad

    c) Nervous

    d) Proud
  3. The giant was strong and could lift heavy objects easily. Which word is the opposite of strong?

    a) Powerful

    b) Weak

    c) Brave

    d) Tall
  4. The little mouse was quick to escape the cat. Find the antonym of quick.

    a) Fast

    b) Slow

    c) Small

    d) Clever
  5. It was a cold winter night, and the wind was biting. What is the opposite of cold?

    a) Hot

    b) Wet

    c) Fresh

    d) Icy
  6. The test was easy for all the students in the class. Which word means the opposite of easy?

    a) Hard

    b) Clear

    c) Quick

    d) Fun
  7. Tom’s joke was so funny that everyone laughed loudly. Which word is the antonym of funny?

    a) Sad

    b) Serious

    c) Happy

    d) Loud
  8. The river was very deep near the waterfall. Find the opposite of deep.

    a) Wide

    b) Shallow

    c) Long

    d) Narrow
  9. The ancient castle looked very old and broken-down. Which word means the opposite of old?

    a) Ancient

    b) New

    c) Ancient

    d) Dark
  10. The child was brave facing the scary situation. Which word is the antonym of brave?

    a) Scared

    b) Careful

    c) Nervous

    d) Cowardly
  11. The sky was clear after the rain stopped. What is the opposite of clear?

    a) Cloudy

    b) Bright

    c) Blue

    d) Calm
  12. The runner was very fast during the race. Which word means the opposite of fast?

    a) Slow

    b) Quick

    c) Strong

    d) Quick
  13. The teacher’s instructions were very simple to follow. Which is the antonym of simple?

    a) Difficult

    b) Easy

    c) Short

    d) Clear
  14. The kitten was very quiet while it slept. What word means the opposite of quiet?

    a) Loud

    b) Soft

    c) Calm

    d) Sleepy
  15. The day was very bright and sunny. What is the antonym of bright?

    a) Dark

    b) Colourful

    c) Sunny

    d) Warm
  16. The car moved slowly through the traffic. Which word means the opposite of slowly?

    a) Quickly

    b) Carelessly

    c) Quietly

    d) Steadily
  17. The forest looked very empty without any animals. What is the antonym of empty?

    a) Full

    b) Wide

    c) Dark

    d) Open
  18. The child was honest about breaking the vase. Which word means the opposite of honest?

    a) Kind

    b) Truthful

    c) Dishonest

    d) Proud
  19. The building was very tall compared to the others. Which word is the antonym of tall?

    a) High

    b) Short

    c) Large

    d) Wide
  20. The ice was hard and cold on the pond. What word is the opposite of hard?

    a) Soft

    b) Frozen

    c) Cold

    d) Rough

✅ Answers for Self-Assessment

  1. b) Dark
  2. b) Sad
  3. b) Weak
  4. b) Slow
  5. a) Hot
  6. a) Hard
  7. b) Serious
  8. b) Shallow
  9. b) New
  10. d) Cowardly
  11. a) Cloudy
  12. a) Slow
  13. a) Difficult
  14. a) Loud
  15. a) Dark
  16. a) Quickly
  17. a) Full
  18. c) Dishonest
  19. b) Short
  20. a) Soft

Use these questions to practise finding antonyms in context. Read each sentence carefully and think about the opposite meaning before choosing your answer. Keep practising to improve your vocabulary and understanding of word meanings! 💪📖