50 glad, pleased / sorry, disappointed 23 The judge said that all the pictures were very good. He was sorry that he had only one prize to award. However, she was glad that her friend had received the prize. They went to the art shop together so that Sue could help Kate decide what to buy with the money. Kate and her friend Sue entered a painting competition. The prize was a silver trophy and some money to spend on art equipment. Kate was pleased when she found out that she had won. Sue was somewhat disappointed, but she tried not to show it.
51 What do they mean? The adjectives glad and pleased are synonyms. They both describe how you feel when you are happy about something that has happened. • The relatives of the sick woman will be glad to know that she is making a good recovery. • Dad was pleased when my brother got a scholarship. The adjectives sorry and disappointed are antonyms of glad and pleased. They both describe how you feel when you are upset about something that has happened. You use disappointed when you expected something better. • I was sorry to hear about the accident but I’m glad that no one was badly hurt. • Mary was pleased to have passed the exam, though she was disappointed that she did not get a higher mark. Try it! A Circle the correct words to complete the sentences. 1 I am (glad / disappointed) that you arrived home safely after such a terrible journey. 2 Mum was (sorry / pleased) that Alice had remembered her birthday. 3 The regular customers of the restaurant were (pleased / sorry) that it was closing down. 4 Sam was (pleased / disappointed) that he had not been chosen for the team. B Read the picture story again. Can you find an antonym for each of the following words? 1 extremely 2 hide 3 presented 4 separately
52 help, assistance, aid / hindrance 24 Mrs Lee was cooking some soup for lunch. ‘Would you like some help, Grandma?’ asked Billy. Although she did not need any assistance, Mrs Lee did not want to hurt her grandson’s feelings. ‘You could add a bit of salt to the soup and give it a stir while I cut up the bread,’ she said. Billy did as he was told, but the salt container dropped into the soup. He tried to get it out with the aid of the spoon, splashing soup all over the cooker. ‘Why don’t you go and watch TV instead,’ suggested Mrs Lee. Billy left the kitchen so that his grandmother could finish preparing the meal without further hindrance.
53 What do they mean? The nouns help, assistance and aid are synonyms. They all refer to making things easier for another person, for example by doing part of their work. You can put the indefinite article a in front of help, but you cannot put an in front of assistance or aid. • It would be a help if you could hold the other end of the rope. • A kind man offered us his assistance. • Students are expected to do their homework without the aid of their parents. The noun hindrance is an antonym of help, assistance and aid. It refers to making things more difficult for another person, for example by getting in their way. You sometimes put the indefinite article a in front of this word. • We had hoped that the navigation equipment would be a help, but it turned out to be more of a hindrance. Try it! A Use the words in the box to fill in the blanks. You will have to use one of the words twice. assistance help hindrance 1 Mary wrote the addresses on the envelopes, which was a big . 2 I was anxious not to cause any to the builders. 3 The work would never have been finished in time without your . 4 Being unable to read or write must be a great . B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of a synonym for each one? 1 asked 2 need 3 dropped
54 hide, conceal / show, reveal 25 Tom and Sue bought a fifty-year-old house in the city centre. It was surprisingly cheap, considering that all the furniture, carpets and curtains were included in the price. After they moved in, they found out why. These extra items were hiding some serious faults. The wardrobe in the bedroom concealed some wide cracks in the wall. And when they rolled up the carpet in the living room, a large damp patch on the floor was revealed. They showed these faults to a builder. He said that the repairs to the house would cost a lot of money.
55 What do they mean? The verbs hide and conceal are synonyms. They both refer to preventing something from being seen, for example by covering it. • James hid the drawing under his workbook when the teacher walked past. • The high trees around the house conceal it from passers-by. The verbs show and reveal are synonyms. They both refer to letting something be seen, for example by uncovering it. • Jane is a quiet girl who rarely shows her true feelings. • The man rolled up his sleeves, revealing the tattoos on his arms. The words hide and conceal are antonyms of show and reveal. They are opposite in meaning. • Carol removed the sticker to reveal the original price of the book hidden beneath it. Try it! A Circle the correct words to complete the sentences. 1 The man wore a mask to (hide / reveal) the scar on his face. 2 Alice (concealed / showed) her ticket to the inspector. 3 The entrance to the cave was (concealed / revealed) by a heap of stones. 4 The waiter lifted the lid off the plate and (hid / revealed) a whole roast chicken. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of an antonym for each one? 1 cheap 2 serious 3 wide 4 damp
hit, strike / miss 26 56 Some oil had been spilt on the road. A car skidded and the driver lost control. There was a young woman on a bicycle just ahead of him. The driver was afraid he would hit her. He quickly turned the steering wheel in the opposite direction and managed to miss the cyclist. Instead, his car struck the emergency barrier in the middle of the road. The young woman got off her bike and ran to help the driver. His car was badly damaged but luckily he was unhurt.
57 What do they mean? The verbs hit and strike are synonyms. They both refer to touching something or someone with sudden force. • The stone hit the window but did not break it. • In some countries, it is against the law for teachers to strike their students. The verb miss is an antonym of hit and strike. To miss something or someone is to fail to hit or strike them. • Joe swung his bat to hit the ball but he missed it. • The bullet missed the man by a few centimetres and struck the tree beside him. Try it! A Circle the correct words to complete the sentences. 1 Dad (hit / missed) the nail with a hammer. 2 An apple fell from the branch and (missed / struck) the boy on the head. 3 My first arrow (missed / hit) the target altogether. 4 The cruel man raised his stick to (miss / strike) the donkey. 5 Peter (hit / missed) the shuttlecock so he lost the point. 6 Sue accidentally (hit / missed) her brother on the head. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of a synonym for each one? 1 quickly 2 middle 3 luckily 4 unhurt
58 ill, sick / well, healthy 27 Sally is a healthy girl. When someone in her family has a cold, she rarely catches it. Last month, her brother was ill. He had chicken pox, which is infectious. This time Sally was not so lucky. She helped her parents look after the sick boy and caught the disease herself. Fortunately, she did not have it very badly. She was soon well enough to go back to school.
59 What do they mean? The adjectives ill and sick are synonyms. They both describe someone who feels bad because something is wrong with their body. You cannot put ill before the noun it describes. • Dad felt ill after eating the pie. • Doctors and nurses look after sick people. The adjective well describes someone who is not sick. You cannot put well before the noun it describes. • I hope you will soon be well again. The adjective healthy describes someone who is unlikely to become ill. • The medical examination showed that James was completely healthy. The words ill and sick are antonyms of well and healthy. They are opposite in meaning. • Sick people should stay in bed until they feel well. Try it! Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. Do not use the same word more than once. healthy ill sick well 1 My friend was so she could not come to my party. 2 children are hardly ever absent from school. 3 The boy had a high temperature. 4 Mary said she was all right but she did not look .
60 immediately, at once, straight away / later 28 There was a small hole in the knee of Anna’s jeans. ‘You should sew that up before it gets any worse,’ said her sister. ‘I haven’t got time,’ said Anna. ‘I’ll do it later.’ She picked up her bag and rushed out of the house. Her shoelace came undone on the way to the bus stop and she knelt down to fasten it. The knee of her jeans immediately ripped wide open. She had to go back home to change. She wished she had mended the hole straight away, as her sister had advised her to do.
61 What do they mean? The adverbs immediately, at once and straight away are synonyms. They all refer to doing something at the present moment, without any delay. • The water began to boil and Jane immediately poured it into the teapot. • Come here at once! • When I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it straight away. The adverb later is an antonym of immediately, at once and straight away. It refers to doing something after an unspecified period of time. • Dad could not answer my question immediately. He told me to ask him again later. • Tom ate his chocolate straight away but Sally kept hers and ate it later. Try it! A Circle the correct words to complete the sentences. 1 Paul took out his camera and the bird (later / immediately) flew away. 2 Mary phoned her parents (straight away / later) to tell them the good news. 3 The children stopped talking (later / at once) when the teacher entered the room. 4 I’ll show you my photos (immediately / later), after we’ve finished our meal. B Read the picture story again. Can you find a synonym for each of the following words? 1 dashed 2 untied 3 tore 4 repaired
62 increase / decrease, reduce 29 Paul and his wife Alice went out for a sail in their yacht. There was not much wind when they set off. After they had left the harbour, however, the wind increased. Soon it was so strong that they found it hard to control the boat. Paul rolled up part of one of the sails. This reduced its size, so that there was less for the wind to blow on. As a result, the speed of the boat decreased and it did not lean over so much. Both Paul and Alice felt happier and more comfortable.
63 What do they mean? To increase is to become greater or stronger. To increase something is to make it greater or stronger. • The size of the population has increased again this year. • My experience at the hospital increased my desire to become a nurse when I leave school. The verbs decrease and reduce are synonyms. They both refer to making something less. The verb decrease can also be used with the meaning ‘to become less’. • The use of typewriters decreased as computers became more common. • The supermarket has reduced the price of its canned beans. The verb increase is an antonym of decrease and reduce. It is opposite in meaning. • Crime is likely to increase if the number of police officers is reduced. Try it! Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. You will have to use one of the words twice. decrease increase reduce 1 The charity wants people to their donations as they need more money. 2 Sales of umbrellas always during the dry season. 3 Alan hopes to his working hours so that he can spend more time with his children. 4 You could the value of the house by replacing these old windows.
64 kind, humane / unkind, cruel 30 Anna is kind to all animals, even ones that most people dislike. If she finds a spider in the bath, she helps it out of the window, rather than drowning it. Although she loves animals, she has no pets. She thinks it is unkind to keep animals in our homes for our own pleasure. In her opinion, making birds live in cages is particularly cruel. She prefers to watch them flying around happily outside. Surprisingly, Anna is not a vegetarian. She is happy to eat meat from farm animals, knowing that they have been slaughtered in a humane way.
65 What do they mean? The adjectives kind and humane are synonyms. They both refer to treating people or animals in a way that does not cause them any suffering. You can also use kind to describe someone who is helpful and caring. • It was very kind of you to offer me a lift. • This is the most humane method of catching the birds. The adjectives unkind and cruel are synonyms. They both refer to treating people in a way that upsets or hurts them. A cruel person or act is very unkind. • Jane made an unkind remark about the scar on the boy’s face. • It is cruel to beat a horse with a stick. The words kind and humane are antonyms of unkind and cruel. They are opposite in meaning. • Alice is kind to everyone, even if they are unkind to her. Try it! Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. Do not use the same word more than once. cruel humane kind unkind 1 It is to laugh at people when they make a mistake. 2 The charity campaigns for the treatment of prisoners all over the world. 3 The old man made his daughter work for him like a slave. 4 A young woman offered to carry Grandma’s heavy shopping bag.
66 last, previous / next, following 31 Kate’s violin teacher was not pleased with her. ‘Have you done any practice since your last lesson?’ he asked angrily. Kate looked down at the floor and did not answer. She had played the violin for about ten minutes the previous evening, but that was all. ‘I promise I will practise every day from now on,’ she said. ‘At my next lesson, I will not make any mistakes.’ Kate was a good girl who always kept her promises. The following week she delighted her violin teacher by playing the piece perfectly.
67 What do they mean? The adjectives last and previous are synonyms. They both describe an event or period of time that comes straight before another. • Tom had learnt how to drive a truck in his last job. • The events leading up to the war were described in the previous chapter. The adjectives next and following are synonyms. They both describe an event or period of time that comes straight after another. • There is a map of the country on the next page. • Jane took the faulty camera back to the shop the following day. The words last and previous are antonyms of next and following. They are opposite in meaning. • The team had lost their previous three matches so they were determined to win the next one. Try it! Rewrite these sentences, replacing the underlined words with synonyms. 1 The identity of the murderer will be revealed in the following episode. 2 At our last meeting we discussed the issue of fund-raising. 3 Mary apologized to Tom the next time she saw him. 4 The previous speaker had told a lot of jokes that made the audience laugh.
68 32 make, produce, create / destroy A clever scientist decided to create a robot that would serve him. He designed the parts of the body and asked a metalworker to make them for him. Together they produced a mechanical being. The scientist wrote some computer software that would act as the robot’s brain. Unfortunately, there were some serious errors in the programming. The robot turned into a monster. Instead of serving the scientist, it tried to murder him. He was forced to destroy his wonderful creation.
69 What do they mean? The verbs make, produce and create are synonyms. They all refer to causing something to exist, often by putting things together. • Mary made a patchwork quilt from scraps of fabric. • The factory produces children’s toys. • The white walls and mirrors create an illusion of space in the room. The verb destroy is an antonym of make, produce and create. It is opposite in meaning. • The fire destroyed all the goods the workers had made. • Nature has created a beautiful world for us, and we must try not to destroy it. Try it! A Circle the correct words to complete the sentences. 1 Joe (made / destroyed) a model of a horse from clay. 2 All the school meals are (destroyed / produced) on the premises. 3 I wish someone would (create / destroy) a machine that could tidy my bedroom for me. 4 The trees were (created / destroyed) in order to clear the land for building. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of a synonym for each one? 1 clever 2 turned 3 murder 4 wonderful
maximum / minimum 33 70 Miss Jones explained the new maths exam to her students. ‘There will be four papers this year instead of three,’ she said. ‘The minimum score to pass the exam is 50 marks out of 100,’ she said. ‘There are 25 marks for each paper.’ Tom put up his hand. ‘Does that mean we can get all the answers wrong on two of the papers and still pass the exam?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ replied Miss Jones, ‘but you will need to get the maximum number of marks on the other two papers.’ Some of the other students laughed, because they thought that was unlikely to happen.
71 What do they mean? The word maximum refers to the greatest amount or number that is possible or permitted in a particular situation. It can be used as an adjective or as a noun. • This diagram shows the maximum size of hand baggage you may take on the plane. • What is the maximum that you can afford to spend? The word minimum refers to the smallest amount or number that is possible or permitted in a particular situation. It can be used as an adjective or as a noun. • You are too small to go on the ride – the minimum height is 1.4 metres. • Some workers think they can get away with doing no more than the minimum. The words maximum and minimum are antonyms. • This thermometer records the maximum and minimum temperatures outside during a 24-hour period. Try it! Fill in the blanks with maximum or minimum, using each word twice. 1 The repair will cost a of three hundred dollars, and possibly much more. 2 The furniture is designed to make use of the space in a small room. 3 What is the number of people who must be present for the meeting to take place? 4 Joe was fined for driving at a higher speed than the allowed on the expressway.
72 noise, sound / silence, peace, quiet 34 Mrs Lee’s grandchildren, Tom and Billy, had come for a weekend visit. Although she liked seeing them, they made a lot of noise and she was glad when they went to bed. She settled down for a couple of hours of peace before her own bedtime. However, the silence was broken by squeals of delight from upstairs. Tom had just told his little brother that they were going to the zoo the next day. Mrs Lee went up to their bedroom and issued a stern warning. ‘If I hear another sound from either of you tonight, we shall be staying at home tomorrow,’ she said. The boys were as quiet as mice from then on.
73 What do they mean? The nouns noise and sound are synonyms. They both refer to something that you can hear. You often use noise to talk about sound that is loud or unpleasant. • The engine started making a rattling noise. • I lay in bed listening to the sound of rain beating on the window. The nouns silence, peace and quiet are synonyms. They all refer to a lack or absence of noise or sound. You sometimes use peace and quiet as a phrase to talk about pleasant silence. • In the school library, the students were working in silence. • Dad went into the garden for some peace and quiet. The words noise and sound are antonyms of silence, peace and quiet. • The quiet of the countryside was a welcome change from the noise of the city. Try it! Rewrite these sentences, replacing the underlined words with synonyms. 1 People need quiet in order to concentrate properly. 2 I thought I heard a noise in the next room. 3 The double-glazed windows keep out a lot of the sound from the street. 4 Visitors can sit and enjoy the peace of the temple.
74 often, frequently / rarely, seldom 35 Aunt Mary is very absent-minded. She often forgets where she has put things, such as her glasses. They are rarely in the right place, so it takes her a while to find them. She also frequently loses her car keys. Some people say that Aunt Mary is so absent-minded that she should not drive a car. However, once she is behind the wheel she changes completely. She concentrates on the road and seldom makes any mistakes. In fact, she is one of the safest drivers I know.
75 What do they mean? The adverbs often and frequently are synonyms. They both refer to things that happen many times with short intervals between them. • I often wish I was more talented at sport. • The baby frequently wakes up during the night. The adverbs rarely and seldom are synonyms. They both refer to things that happen few times with long intervals between them. • James rarely makes any spelling mistakes in his schoolwork. • It seldom snows in this part of the country. The words often and frequently are antonyms of rarely and seldom. They are opposite in meaning. • Sally often goes to the market but she seldom buys anything there. Try it! A Rewrite these sentences, replacing the underlined words with synonyms. 1 These birds are seldom seen so far inland. 2 Carol frequently cycles to school when the weather is fine. 3 Jack rarely visits his grandparents. 4 Food poisoning is often caused by poor hygiene. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of a synonym for each one? 1 glasses 2 right 3 completely 4 mistakes
polite, courteous / rude, impolite 36 76 It is impolite to talk with your mouth full. There is a good reason for this – you might spray food over the table. You should never make rude remarks about what you have been given to eat. If you do not like something on your plate, simply leave it at the side. Polite children ask permission if they want to get down from the table before the adults have finished their meal. This rule applies wherever you are, both at home and elsewhere. When you are visiting friends or relatives, it is courteous to offer to help with duties such as clearing the table and washing the dishes. If you impress your host or hostess with your good manners, you are more likely to be invited back!
77 What do they mean? The adjectives polite and courteous are synonyms. They both describe a person with good manners, who acts in a way that pleases or helps other people. They are also used to talk about behaviour that is considered correct in a particular social situation. • Dad received a polite letter of apology from the boy who had damaged his car. • The courteous girl held the door open for the woman. The adjectives rude and impolite are synonyms. They both describe a person with bad manners, who acts in a way that upsets or annoys other people. They are also used to talk about behaviour that is considered incorrect in a particular social situation. • A rude man pushed past everyone and went straight to the front of the line. • It is often impolite to tell people exactly what you think of them. The words polite and courteous are antonyms of rude and impolite. They are opposite in meaning. • Polite adults rarely have impolite children, because they set them a good example. Try it! Rewrite these sentences, replacing the underlined words with synonyms. 1 If you are likely to be late for a meeting or appointment, it is polite to let the other person know. 2 Mary’s new boyfriend is a very courteous young man. 3 The impolite woman ignored me and carried on talking to her friend.
pull, drag / push, shove 37 78 Paul had a terrifying dream. He was trapped in a burning building with his elder brother, Tom. They could not open the door to get out. They tried pulling it and pushing it, but it would not move. Tom shoved the door with his shoulder and broke it down. Then he collapsed on the floor. Paul had to drag his brother to safety. It took all his strength, but he managed it.
79 What do they mean? The verbs pull and drag are synonyms. They both refer to moving something by holding it and exerting effort away from it. To drag something is to pull it with difficulty, often along the ground. • The lifeguard grabbed Mary’s arm and pulled her out of the pool. • I walked along the station platform, dragging my heavy suitcase behind me. The verbs push and shove are synonyms. They both refer to moving something by touching it and exerting effort towards it. To shove something or someone is to push them roughly or with great force. • The car ran out of fuel so Dad had to push it to the petrol station. • James angrily shoved the chair out of his way. The words pull and drag are antonyms of push and shove. They are opposite in meaning. • Anna pushed the window shut and pulled down the blind. Try it! A Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. Do not use the same word more than once. dragged pulled pushed shoved 1 Someone me from behind and I fell down the steps. 2 The oxen the heavy plough across the field. 3 The mothers chatted as they their prams along the path. 4 Sue her little sister’s hair and made her cry. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of an antonym for each one? 1 elder 2 open 3 safety
punish / reward 38 80 Young animals, such as puppies or kittens, are like children. They have to learn the difference between right and wrong. If your puppy will not stop behaving badly, you must punish it. A light smack should be enough. Take care not to injure the animal. It is also important to reward pets that do as they are told. For example, if your dog comes straight back to you when you call it, you should give it a treat. Most animals respond well to these simple methods. Some parents wish their children could be trained so easily!
81 What do they mean? You punish a person or animal that has behaved badly or done something wrong. You make them suffer or make them do something unpleasant. • Anyone caught cheating will be severely punished. • Mary punished her cat for killing a bird. You reward a person or animal that has behaved well or achieved something. You give them something nice and make them feel good. • Our teacher rewards us with a gold star when we make an effort. • The rescuers should be rewarded for saving the children’s lives. The verbs punish and reward are antonyms. They are opposite in meaning. • The company rewards staff who work hard and punishes those who are lazy or careless. Try it! A Fill in the blanks with punish or reward, using each word twice. 1 How should I the men for their hard work? 2 Tom was afraid that the teacher would him. 3 Some parents seem reluctant to their children. 4 You can the horse by giving it a carrot. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of an antonym for each one? 1 learn 2 light 3 comes 4 simple
82 raw / cooked 39 After the storm we had a power cut that continued for several days. All our cooking equipment is electric, so we had to survive mainly on raw food. There was some cheese and cooked meat in the fridge. We ate that with bread and salad for lunch and dinner. Mum had bought some fresh fish the day before the storm. She had to throw them away because it was too risky to eat them raw. The power finally came back on and we had our first cooked meal for a week. It was delicious!
83 What do they mean? The adjective raw describes food that has not been prepared for eating by a process that uses heat. • You should always wash your hands after touching raw meat. • A raw carrot is a healthy snack. The adjective cooked describes food that has been prepared for eating by a process that uses heat. • Many British hotels serve a cooked breakfast. • The white of the egg was cooked but the yolk was still runny. The words raw and cooked are antonyms. • Most types of fruit and vegetables can be eaten raw or cooked. Try it! A Fill in the blanks with raw or cooked, using each word three times. 1 My sister likes to eat blackcurrants straight from the bush. 2 chicken can be eaten hot or cold. 3 We could not have any food while the kitchen was being painted. 4 cabbage is hard and crunchy. It goes soft when you boil it. 5 Salad is not a meal. 6 Any germs in the meat will be killed by the heat of the oven. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of a synonym for each one? 1 continued 2 survive 3 mainly 4 risky
84 run, race, dash / walk, stroll, amble 40 They set off at the same time, and soon the hare was far ahead. He turned round and saw the tortoise walking slowly and steadily towards him. When the hare woke up, the tortoise was almost at the finish line. The hare dashed away at top speed but did not get there in time. He lost the race. The hare and the tortoise had a race. The hare could run faster than all the other animals, so he was sure he would win. The hare thought he had plenty of time for a rest, so he lay down at the side of the road and fell asleep. Meanwhile, the tortoise ambled on.
85 What do they mean? The verbs run, race and dash are synonyms. They all refer to moving fast on your legs. You race or dash when you are in a hurry. • Sally ran all the way home from school. • I raced to the station to catch my train. • A man wearing a mask dashed out of the bank. The verbs walk, stroll and amble are synonyms. They all refer to moving slowly on your legs. You stroll or amble when you are not in a hurry. • Tom walked past the shop without looking in the window. • Some tourists were strolling around the ruined castle. • The old man ambled into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. The words run, race and dash are antonyms of walk, stroll and amble. They are opposite in meaning. • Students must walk, not run, in the school corridors. • Mary ambled over to the window and watched the people dashing for shelter from the heavy rain. Try it! Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. Do not use the same word more than once. dashed strolled walked 1 We along the river bank, stopping now and then to chat to the fishermen. 2 Peter indoors to fetch his camera before the bird flew away. 3 The angry woman straight up to the counter and demanded to be served immediately.
86 short, brief / long, lengthy 41 The short route would take them across fields that might be rather muddy. They decided to go along the road instead. The girls did not have enough energy to walk back home. Mary phoned her father and asked him if he would come and collect them in his car. It was a fine day, so Mary and Sue decided to walk to the river from the village where they lived. They had a lengthy discussion about the best way to go. It took them a long time to reach the river. They had been walking continuously for three hours, apart from a brief stop for refreshments.
87 What do they mean? The adjectives short and brief are synonyms. They both describe something that lasts for a small amount of time or contains few words. You can also use short to describe anything that is small from end to end. • My dog has a very short tail. • We had a brief visit from Mr Jones yesterday. The adjectives long and lengthy are synonyms. They both describe something that lasts for a large amount of time or contains many words. You can also use long to describe anything that is large from end to end. • It is a long way to the city centre from here. • The president made a lengthy speech about the economy. The words short and brief are antonyms of long and lengthy. They are opposite in meaning. • The article begins with a short description of the machine, followed by a lengthy explanation of how it worked. Try it! Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. Do not use the same word more than once. brief lengthy long short 1 A giraffe has a neck. 2 Joe left a message for his mother on a scrap of paper. 3 I think Sue would look smarter with hair. 4 There was a delay at the airport because of the bad weather.
shout, cry, yell / whisper, murmur, mutter 42 88 They made the staff and customers stand against the wall. ‘Do you think they’re going to kill us?’ whispered a frightened young woman to the cashier beside her. Just then, the police arrived outside the bank. ‘Put down your weapons and come out with your hands up!’ cried the chief officer through a megaphone. Two masked men with guns ran into the bank. ‘This is a robbery!’ yelled one of them. ‘Don’t worry,’ he murmured. ‘I managed to press the alarm button before I left the counter.’ ‘Stop talking!’ shouted the robber who was guarding them.
89 What do they mean? The verbs shout, cry and yell are synonyms. They all refer to speaking very loudly. • The man shouted for help but no one heard him. • ‘Please turn the volume down!’ cried Mum. • I yelled at Sue to warn her. The verbs whisper, murmur and mutter are synonyms. They all refer to speaking very quietly. When you whisper, you use your breath rather than your voice. • Kate leant over and whispered something in Jane’s ear. • ‘I think the actor has forgotten his lines,’ murmured David. • ‘This soup tastes horrible,’ muttered Peter. The words shout, cry and yell are antonyms of whisper, murmur and mutter. They are opposite in meaning. • ‘I’m coming!’ shouted Jack, muttering crossly as he got out of his warm, cosy bed. Try it! Rewrite these sentences, replacing the underlined words with synonyms. 1 Tom muttered something to his friend but I did not hear what he said. 2 ‘Look out!’ cried Joe. 3 We shouted to the people on the other boat. 4 ‘Don’t worry – I’ll help you,’ whispered Alice.
90 smile, grin / frown, scowl 43 Anna’s parents wanted a nice picture of her so they hired a professional photographer. He told Anna to smile. Anna hated having her photograph taken. She scowled at the camera. Anna’s mother frowned and looked annoyed. However, her father had a good idea. He walked towards the door and pretended to trip over a wire. Anna grinned and the photographer immediately pressed the shutter.
91 What do they mean? The words smile and grin are synonyms. They can be used as verbs or nouns. They both describe the act of making your mouth curve upwards to show that you are happy or amused. A grin is a wide smile. • Carol smiled as she read the letter. • ‘You look really funny in that hat,’ said Michael with a grin. The words frown and scowl are synonyms. They can be used as verbs or nouns. They both describe the act of making your mouth curve downwards to show that you are cross or unhappy. You scowl when you are particularly angry or upset. • Dad looked at the phone bill and frowned. • I could tell from Jane’s scowl that she was not at all pleased. The words smile and grin are antonyms of frown and scowl. They are opposite in meaning. • Mum’s frown changed to a smile when I offered to help her clear up the mess. Try it! A Circle the correct words to complete the sentences. 1 The receptionist greeted me with a friendly (smile / scowl). 2 The contestant (frowned / grinned) because he knew the right answer. 3 The policeman got out of the car with a (frown / grin) on his face. 4 Tom (scowled / grinned) when his mother told him to tidy his room. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of a synonym for each one? 1 nice 2 hated 3 annoyed 4 trip
92 stop, cease / start, go 44 Sam’s parents bought him a bike for his fifth birthday. ‘Do you know how to ride it?’ asked his father. ‘Of course I do,’ replied Sam. ‘You push the pedals to make it go and you press the brake to make it stop.’ Sam wanted to go out and ride his bike straight away. Unfortunately, it had just started to rain. Two hours later, the rain finally ceased. By this time, however, Sam was happily playing with one of his other birthday presents.
93 What do they mean? The verbs stop and cease are synonyms. When something has stopped or ceased, it is no longer happening. The verb cease is mainly used in formal language. To stop is also to be no longer moving. • The printer stopped working because it had run out of ink. • The people began to wonder if the fighting would ever cease. The verb start is an antonym of stop and cease. When something starts, it begins happening. • The builders stopped for lunch at midday and started working again at one o’clock. The verb go is an antonym of stop in its other meaning. To go is to begin moving. • The traffic must stop when the light is red and it cannot go until the light changes to green. Try it! A Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. Do not use the same word more than once. cease go start stop 1 Please humming that annoying tune! 2 I am about to reading the book Tom lent me. 3 The company will trading at the end of the month. 4 You will have to change the battery in the clock to make it . B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of a synonym for each one? 1 replied 2 finally 3 presents
94 sure, certain / unsure, uncertain 45 When he arrived at the school, he was unsure where to go. Another boy saw the uncertain look on his face and came to speak to him. The two boys chatted on the way to the classroom and discovered that they had a lot in common. Tom was certain that they would become good friends. It was Tom’s first day at his new school and he felt rather nervous. ‘Don’t worry,’ said his mother, ‘I’m sure everything will go well.’ ‘You must be Tom, the new boy in my class,’ he said. ‘Come with me and I’ll introduce you to the other students.’
95 What do they mean? The adjectives sure and certain are synonyms. They both refer to the strong feeling that you know something is true or correct. • I am sure I have seen that man before. • Do not eat the berries unless you are certain that they are not poisonous. The adjectives unsure and uncertain are synonyms. They both refer to the feeling of doubt you have about something that may or may not be true or correct. • Kate was unsure whether she had remembered to lock the door. • If you are uncertain how to spell the word, look it up in a dictionary. The words sure and certain are antonyms of unsure and uncertain. They are opposite in meaning. • Jane was certain that we were going the right way. But she was unsure how long it would take to reach our destination. Try it! Rewrite these sentences, replacing the underlined words with synonyms. 1 Carol was sure that she would pass the exam. 2 The doctor was uncertain whether the patient would make a full recovery. 3 Joe is unsure what he wants to study at university. 4 I was certain that I had put my passport in my bag.
96 teacher, instructor / student, pupil 46 Their instructor introduced himself. Then he showed them how to do some simple moves. At the end of the course, his best pupils entered a national competition. Several of them won prizes. The students arrived for their first karate class. Some of them felt rather nervous. He was a good teacher, and very patient with those who were slow to learn. Everyone enjoyed his classes.
97 What do they mean? The nouns teacher and instructor are synonyms. They both refer to a person who helps other people to learn something. An instructor is most often someone who teaches a sport or a practical skill. • The teacher explained to the class how water turns into steam. • Our keep-fit instructor has given us some difficult exercises to do. The nouns student and pupil are synonyms. They both refer to someone who is learning something from another person. A student is most often someone studying at high school, college or university. • The students have to buy their own books and computers. • ‘Anna is one of my most talented pupils,’ said Mr Lee. The words teacher and instructor are antonyms of student and pupil. They are opposite in meaning. • The piano teacher is too busy to take on any new pupils at the moment. Try it! A Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. Do not use the same word more than once. instructor pupil student teacher 1 The young man told us that he was a college . 2 The taught the soldiers how to load their guns. 3 This picture was probably painted by a of the great artist. 4 My aunt is a history at a school in England. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of a synonym for each one? 1 class 2 nervous 3 simple
98 tight / loose, slack 47 James was going fishing. He put on a pair of loose, comfortable trousers because he would be sitting on the river bank all day. He didn’t catch any fish during the morning. His line remained slack but he kept tight hold of his rod, just in case. After lunch, he began to doze in the warm sunshine, relaxing his grip on the rod. Suddenly, a fish took his bait and the fishing line went tight. The fish tried to swim away and pulled the rod out of James’s hand. Fortunately, he woke up in time to grab it before it fell into the water.
99 What do they mean? The adjective tight describes something that is being pulled hard, such as a rope or wire. It can also describe a firm hold or a garment that fits closely to your body. • It is bad for your feet to wear shoes that are too tight. The adjectives loose and slack are antonyms of tight. You most often use loose to describe a garment, or something that is not firmly held or fixed. You most often use slack to describe a rope or wire. • A loose knot is easier to untie than a tight knot. • The first skirt I tried on was too tight around the waist and the second one was too loose. • The rope at the front of the boat was slack but the one at the back was tight. Try it! A Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. You will have to use one of the words twice. loose slack tight 1 The bandage began to hurt my leg. 2 You cannot play a guitar properly if its strings are . 3 The thief struggled to pull the bag out of Mary’s grip. 4 One of the screws was and the handle was falling off. B Here are some other words from the passage. Can you think of an antonym for each one? 1 on 2 day 3 warm 4 pulled