Thesaurus

Thesaurus

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
This task is about information that a thesaurus provides.
a)
What is a thesaurus?
 
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b)
Use the parts of the thesaurus numbered 1-7, to label the example below.
Write the number of the correct description in the appropriate box. One description will be left over.
 
  1. part of speech
  2. related word – related in meaning to the key word
  3. indication of origin
  4. illustrative sentence
  5. what the word means
  6. keyword
  7. antonym (opposite)
 Image of a pile of books
 

Thesaurus entry for "crooked"
c) Give one occasion in which a thesaurus could be very helpful.
 
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Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
English, Making meaning, Reading
Key Competencies: 
Using language, symbols, and texts
Keywords: 
thesaurus, information skills
Description of task: 
Students describe what a thesaurus is, and label the features of a thesaurus.
Curriculum Links: 
Links to the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading:
This resource helps to identify students’ ability to:
  • recognise structural features
as described in the Literacy Learning Progressions for Reading at: http://www.literacyprogressions.tki.org.nz/The-Structure-of-the-Progressions.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Making sense of text: text structure, set 5
within the Reading Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (11/1999)

a)

Any 1 of:

  • A reference book of words grouped by their related meanings.
  • A reference book of synonyms and antonyms 

     [USA].

moderate

b)

Thesaurus entry for "crooked"

(3 is the distractor)

6 – easy
1 – difficult
4 – moderate
5 – moderate
2 – moderate
7 – moderate

c)

Any 1 of:

  • When you are looking for variety in your writing/feel you have overused a word.
  • To find a good synonym.
  • When doing crossword puzzles.

easy