🔍 Detailed Explanation of Finding Synonyms in Context

When you want to find synonyms in context, it means looking for words that have the same or very similar meanings within a sentence or paragraph. This skill is important in Year 6 English because it helps you understand texts better and improve your writing by using different words to make your writing more interesting.

💡 Why Are Synonyms Important?

Synonyms are useful because they stop us from repeating the same word many times. For example, instead of saying “happy” twice, you could say “happy” and “joyful.” Using synonyms makes your writing more exciting and shows that you have a good vocabulary. Also, when you read, recognizing synonyms helps you understand unfamiliar words because you can guess the meaning from words around them.

📝 How to Find Synonyms Using Context Clues

Context clues are the hints you find in the sentences near the word you don’t know or want to find a synonym for. Here is a step-by-step way to find synonyms in context:

  1. Read the full sentence or paragraph carefully: Don’t guess a synonym from just one word. Look at the whole sentence to understand the meaning.
  2. Look for words with similar meanings: Sometimes the author gives clues by using words that mean almost the same thing in the same sentence or paragraph to help explain. These words are often joined by words like “or,” “also,” “in other words,” or “which means.”
  3. Think about the meaning: Try to understand what the sentence is saying overall. What is the other word trying to say in place of the first word?
  4. Check if the words fit in the same way: Synonyms should make sense in the sentence. If one word is a feeling like “sad,” a synonym could be “unhappy” or “upset,” but not a word that means something different like “tired.”

📚 Example to Illustrate Finding Synonyms in Context

Look at this sentence:
“He was very tired after the game; he felt exhausted and couldn’t run anymore.”

  • The word “tired” means feeling worn out or needing rest. Can you spot a synonym?
  • “Exhausted” is a synonym because it also means very tired. The sentence uses both words to show the meaning clearly.

Another example:
“The little girl was delighted, or very happy, when she saw the puppies.”

  • Here, “delighted” and “very happy” have the same meaning, so “very happy” is a synonym that explains “delighted.”
  • The phrase “or very happy” is a clue that helps you find the synonym.

✍️ Practice Tips

  • When you read books or stories, try to find pairs of words that might be synonyms.
  • Write down new words and their synonyms to build your vocabulary.
  • Use synonyms when writing your stories and essays to make them more interesting.

By practising finding synonyms in context, you will get better at understanding what you read and at choosing the best words to make your writing clearer and more exciting!

📝 20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Finding Synonyms in Context for Year 6 English

Question 1

Find a synonym for the word happy in this sentence:
She felt happy when she got the good news.
Answer: pleased

Question 2

In the sentence The large dog barked loudly, what is a synonym for large?
Answer: big

Question 3

Find a synonym for quick in the sentence:
He made a quick decision to help his friend.
Answer: fast

Question 4

In this sentence: The tiny insect was hard to see, what is a synonym for tiny?
Answer: small

Question 5

Find a synonym for the word angry in the sentence:
She was angry because her brother broke her toy.
Answer: furious

Question 6

In the sentence The clever student solved the problem easily, what is a synonym for clever?
Answer: smart

Question 7

Find a synonym for scared in this sentence:
He felt scared walking home in the dark.
Answer: afraid

Question 8

In this sentence: They enjoyed the delicious cake, what is a synonym for delicious?
Answer: tasty

Question 9

Find a synonym for strong in the sentence:
The strong wind blew the leaves everywhere.
Answer: powerful

Question 10

In the sentence She whispered softly to her friend, what is a synonym for softly?
Answer: quietly

Question 11

Find a synonym for the word old in the sentence:
The old man walked slowly down the street.
Answer: elderly

Question 12

In this sentence: The bright stars twinkled in the sky, what is a synonym for bright?
Answer: shining

Question 13

Find a synonym for helpful in the sentence:
The teacher was very helpful when I asked a question.
Answer: useful

Question 14

In the sentence The small garden was full of colourful flowers, what is a synonym for colourful?
Answer: bright

Question 15

Find a synonym for the word tired in this sentence:
After the long walk, he was very tired.
Answer: exhausted

Question 16

In this sentence: The movie was exciting and full of surprises, what is a synonym for exciting?
Answer: thrilling

Question 17

Find a synonym for kind in the sentence:
She is always kind to animals.
Answer: caring

Question 18

In the sentence The clear water sparkled in the sunlight, what is a synonym for clear?
Answer: transparent

Question 19

Find a synonym for the word funny in this sentence:
He told a funny joke that made everyone laugh.
Answer: amusing

Question 20

In this sentence: The new rules were difficult to understand, what is a synonym for difficult?
Answer: hard

These questions help Year 6 students practise finding synonyms in context, improving their vocabulary and comprehension skills in line with the UK National Curriculum for Key Stage 2 English.