English 11 Plus What is a Synonym?

Synonyms are when 2 or more words have similar meanings and definitions but are spelled and sound different.

You will find many words in the English language have synonyms and it is a great for you to become comfortable learning and using a wider vocabulary to express your opinions or thoughts. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a variety of words when speaking or writing, not only that but with practice you will understand when to use these words, to get the impact you are after, and how to spot them as well.

There are a number of reasons why you would want to use different words to say the same things. Here are a few:

• To vary your vocabulary
• To improve how you communicate
• To avoid being repetitive
• To add or reduce emphasis
• To provide more detail to readers and listeners so they can better understand

Synonyms are a huge part of the English 11 Plus and are tested in different ways so that you can spot, identify and group them. What is expected here is that you have good knowledge of the English language, its uses, definitions and meanings.

Synonym Example

Here is an example of a word and its synonyms, not all synonyms are included, just a few to give you an idea.

Word : Delicious

Definition : Delightful and pleasant to the taste

Synonyms List :

• Appetizing : stimulating one’s appetite
• Luscious : having a pleasingly rich, sweet taste.
• Mouth-watering : tantalizingly delicious or appealing a mouthwatering aroma.
• Flavourful : having a full, distinctive taste; full of flavour.
• Succulent : tender, juicy, and tasty
• Tasty : having a marked and appetizing flavor a tasty meal
• Delectable : something that is highly pleasing or delicious

Example use :

• The food was delicious
• The food was mouth-watering
• The food was succulent

Synonym Multiple Choice Question / Worksheets

Worksheet 1

1. Which one is the synonym for angry : large, big, hat, mad, lad
2. Which one is the synonym for happy : tower, rat, sad, joyful
3. Which one is the synonym for sad : tiny, down, upset, sky
4. Which one is the synonym for child : door, teenager, kid, red
5. Which one is the synonym for truthful : believe, honest, joke, handle
6. Which one is the synonym for group : pair, jack, category, style
7. Which one is the synonym for amazing : joyous, big, fast, incredible
8. Which one is the synonym for big : small, bag, large, load
9. Which one is the synonym for ask : want, enquire, say, speak
10. Which one is the synonym for eager : keen, forward, drive, lean

Worksheet 2

1. Which one is the synonym for little : low, tiny, flow, find
2. Which one is the synonym for grow : breathe, bite, enlarge, liven
3. Which one is the synonym for live : reside, remove, hut, hive
4. Which one is the synonym for plant : lawn, mow, vegetable, dig
5. Which one is the synonym for yard : single, unit, digital, work
6. Which one is the synonym for stick : pole, lamp, deliver, tape
7. Which one is the synonym for flow : rain, water, drizzle, go
8. Which one is the synonym for shoe : foot, fly, sneaker, burglar
9. Which one is the synonym for bike : wheels, cycle, bars, brakes
10. Which one is the synonym for cheek : nerve, lost, find, hidden

Worksheet 3

1. Which one is the synonym for handle : bars, grip, bike, spike
2. Which one is the synonym for method : path, approach, look, right
3. Which one is the synonym for pair : three, more, couple, one
4. Which one is the synonym for fast : average, moving, running, swift
5. Which one is the synonym for lie : truth, recline, fall, bed
6. Which one is the synonym for load : heavy, weight, cargo, bags
7. Which one is the synonym for speak : shout, scream, talk, run
8. Which one is the synonym for drive : hard, steer, wheel, gear
9. Which one is the synonym for keen : focus, eager, thinking, action
10. Which one is the synonym for lean : tilt, bend, hold, wall