Understanding How to Use Thesaurus Entries: A Detailed Explanation 🧐📚

Using a thesaurus is a great way for Year 6 students to improve their vocabulary and writing skills, especially as part of the Key Stage 2 English curriculum in the UK. A thesaurus entry offers lists of synonyms—words with similar meanings—that help make writing more interesting and precise.

What Is a Thesaurus Entry? 📝

A thesaurus entry is usually found under a single word in a thesaurus book or online tool. It shows different words that mean nearly the same thing as the original word. For example, if you look up the word “happy,” you might see synonyms like “joyful,” “cheerful,” or “pleased.”

How to Effectively Use Thesaurus Entries in Your Writing ✍️

  1. Identify the Word You Want to Replace
    First, find a word in your writing that you think could be more exciting or clearer. Usually, these are common words like “nice,” “big,” or “said.”
  2. Look up the Word in the Thesaurus
    Use either a printed thesaurus or an online version. Find the entry for your chosen word to see a list of synonyms.
  3. Choose the Right Synonym
    Not every synonym has the exact same meaning or feeling. For example, “big” could be replaced by “huge,” “enormous,” or “massive,” but each word might fit differently depending on what you want to say. Always think about the context before picking a word.
  4. Check the Meaning and Use
    Sometimes, a word might look good but isn’t right for your sentence. If possible, ask a teacher or use a dictionary alongside the thesaurus to understand the precise meaning.
  5. Rewrite and Read Your Sentence
    Put the synonym into your sentence and read it aloud. Does it sound natural and clear? Does it make your writing better? If yes, great! If not, try another word.

Tips to Make the Most of Using a Thesaurus 💡✨

  • Use a Thesaurus Regularly
    Practise using thesaurus entries when you write stories, poems, or reports. This helps you learn new words and how to use them.
  • Keep a Vocabulary Notebook
    Write down new synonyms that you discover and try to use them in your own sentences later. This will strengthen your vocabulary.
  • Don’t Overuse Fancy Words
    It’s great to improve your writing, but sometimes the simplest word is best. Use thesaurus entries to add variety, not to make your writing confusing.

Using thesaurus entries effectively helps Year 6 students build a stronger vocabulary and write with more detail, which matches the goals of the UK National Curriculum for Key Stage 2 English. With practice, your writing will become more creative and enjoyable to read! 🎉📖

20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Using Thesaurus Entries for Year 6 English 📝✅

Question 1

Q: What is a thesaurus used for in English writing?
A: A thesaurus is used to find synonyms or words with similar meanings to avoid repeating the same word.

Question 2

Q: Using a thesaurus, find a synonym for the word “happy“. Give one example.
A: One synonym for “happy” is “joyful“.

Question 3

Q: Which word from a thesaurus is closest in meaning to “big“?
a) Tiny
b) Large
c) Small
A: b) Large

Question 4

Q: When using a thesaurus, why is it important to check the meaning of the synonyms before using them?
A: Because some synonyms may have different meanings or be used in different situations, so it’s important to make sure they fit the sentence.

Question 5

Q: Find a synonym for the word “fast” from a thesaurus. Use it in a sentence.
A: A synonym is “quick“. Example sentence: She finished the race very quick.

Question 6

Q: Which word would you use instead of “scared” if you check a thesaurus?
A: “Frightened” or “afraid“.

Question 7

Q: Use a thesaurus to find two synonyms for the word “angry“.
A: Furious, annoyed

Question 8

Q: What is the meaning of “synonym“?
A: A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.

Question 9

Q: You want to describe someone who is “very clever“. Using a thesaurus, suggest a word you can use instead of “clever“.
A: Intelligent

Question 10

Q: How can a thesaurus help improve your writing?
A: A thesaurus helps improve writing by making it more interesting and avoiding repetition of the same words.

Question 11

Q: Find a synonym for the word “cold” from a thesaurus. Write a sentence using this synonym.
A: A synonym is “chilly“. Sentence: It was chilly outside, so I wore a jacket.

Question 12

Q: If a thesaurus lists “brave” as a synonym for “courageous“, which word means the opposite of these?
A: Cowardly

Question 13

Q: When reading a thesaurus entry, you see the word “joyful” and “elated“. Are these words exact synonyms? Why or why not?
A: They are similar but not exact synonyms because “elated” means extremely happy, which can be more intense than “joyful“.

Question 14

Q: Write a sentence using the word “enormous” and then pick a synonym from a thesaurus. Use this synonym in a new sentence.
A:
Sentence 1: The elephant was enormous.
Synonym: Huge
Sentence 2: The huge building could be seen from miles away.

Question 15

Q: Pick the correct synonym for “begin“:
a) Start
b) End
c) Close
A: a) Start

Question 16

Q: How do you find the correct synonym in a thesaurus when many words are listed?
A: You read the definitions or example sentences to see which word fits best in your writing.

Question 17

Q: What can you do if you find a synonym in a thesaurus but it doesn’t sound right in your sentence?
A: You can try another synonym or use the original word.

Question 18

Q: Use a thesaurus to find a synonym for “quickly“. Then write a sentence.
A: Synonym: Rapidly
Sentence: The river flowed rapidly after the rain.

Question 19

Q: If you want to make your writing more exciting, how can a thesaurus help?
A: By offering exciting or stronger words to replace boring or simple words.

Question 20

Q: Why might using a thesaurus be especially helpful before writing a story or descriptive piece?
A: Because it helps you find interesting and varied words to make your story more detailed and enjoyable to read.