Dictionary Skills and Guide Words Worksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve each part of this worksheet step by step and explain the reasoning.

---

① Write these words in alphabetical order

Words given:
- simple
- funnel
- principle
- plenty
- choose
- oasis
- office
- pound
- target
- shack
- timber
- corner

---

#### Step-by-step sorting:

We will sort the words alphabetically by comparing the first letter, then second, etc., if needed.

1. Start with first letters:
- c: choose
- f: funnel
- o: office, oasis, ounce? Wait — no "ounce", but we have:
- office, oasis, plenty, pound, principle, simple, shack, target, timber, corner

Wait — let’s list all words again:

- simple
- funnel
- principle
- plenty
- choose
- oasis
- office
- pound
- target
- shack
- timber
- corner

Now group by first letter:

- c: choose
- f: funnel
- o: office, oasis
- p: plenty, pound, principle
- s: simple, shack
- t: target, timber
- c again: corner (starts with 'c') — so choose, corner

So full list by first letter:

- c: choose, corner
- f: funnel
- o: office, oasis
- p: plenty, pound, principle
- s: shack, simple
- t: target, timber

Now sort within groups:

- c: choose, corner → 'choose' comes before 'corner' (ch vs co)
- ch < co → choose, corner
- f: funnel
- o: office, oasis → 'office' vs 'oasis': 'ff' vs 'as' → 'ff' comes after 'as'? No — compare letter by letter:
- o = o
- f vs a → 'a' < 'f' → so oasis comes before office

Wait! That’s key:
- oasis → o-a-s-i-s
- office → o-f-f-i-c-e

Compare:
- First letter: o = o
- Second: a vs f → a < f → so oasis comes before office

So oasis, office

- p: plenty, pound, principle
- p = p
- l vs o vs r → l < o < r → so plenty, pound, principle

- s: shack, simple
- s = s
- h vs i → h < i → shack, simple

- t: target, timber
- t = t
- a vs i → a < i → target, timber

Now put it all together:

1. choose
2. corner
3. funnel
4. oasis
5. office
6. plenty
7. pound
8. principle
9. shack
10. simple
11. target
12. timber

✔ Final alphabetical order:

| # | Word |
|---|------------|
| 1 | choose |
| 2 | corner |
| 3 | funnel |
| 4 | oasis |
| 5 | office |
| 6 | plenty |
| 7 | pound |
| 8 | principle |
| 9 | shack |
|10 | simple |
|11 | target |
|12 | timber |

---

② Watch [woch]

Definitions:
1. verb – To be on the lookout for something
2. verb – To be careful or cautious
3. noun – Something you use to tell time

#### Sentence 1:
"My watch is slow, that is why I’m late."

- Here, "watch" refers to a device used to tell time.
- So, definition 3 (noun) is correct.

✔ Answer: ③

#### Sentence 2:
"On your walk, watch for the neighbor’s lost dog."

- This means “be on the lookout” for the dog.
- So, definition 1 (verb: to be on the lookout)

✔ Answer: ①

---

Clutter [kluht-er]

Definitions:
1. verb – To fill or litter in an unorganized way
2. noun – An unorganized pile

#### Sentence:
"Mom told me to pick up my clutter before I went outside to play."

- "Clutter" here is the thing being picked up — an unorganized pile of things.
- So, it's used as a noun.

✔ Answer: Definition 2

---

Lapse [laps]

Definitions:
1. noun – A brief failure
2. noun – The time that passes between two events
3. verb – To come to an end
4. verb – To drop off or fall little by little

#### Sentence 1:
"We returned to school after a lapse of two weeks."

- "A lapse of two weeks" means a period of time passed.
- So, definition 2 (time between events)

✔ Answer: Definition 2

#### Sentence 2:
"Tom had a lapse in judgment when he took the candy without permission."

- "Lapse in judgment" means a momentary failure in thinking.
- So, definition 1 (brief failure)

But wait — the options are:

> □ Definition 2
> □ Definition 3

But definition 1 is missing from the choices? Let’s check:

The question says:

> Which definition is used in the sentence below?
> Tom had a lapse in judgment...
> □ Definition 2
> □ Definition 3

But definition 1 is not listed? That seems like an error.

Wait — look back at the box:

It lists:
1. noun – A brief failure
2. noun – The time that passes between two events
3. verb – To come to an end
4. verb – To drop off or fall little by little

Then the question says:

> Which definition is used?
> □ Definition 2
> □ Definition 3

But "lapse in judgment" uses definition 1, which is not among the choices?

That can't be right.

Wait — maybe there's a typo in the worksheet? Or perhaps they meant to include Definition 1?

But the options are only 2 and 3.

But "lapse in judgment" clearly refers to a brief failure, which is definition 1.

However, since definition 1 is not an option, and the question asks between 2 and 3, perhaps it's a mistake.

But let's recheck:

- "Lapse in judgment" = a failure in judgment → matches definition 1
- But the choices are only 2 and 3

This suggests either a typo in the worksheet or in our interpretation.

Wait — perhaps the numbering is off?

Looking again:

> Lapse [laps]
> 1. noun – A brief failure
> 2. noun – The time that passes between two events
> 3. verb – To come to an end
> 4. verb – To drop off or fall little by little

Then the sentence:

> Tom had a lapse in judgment...

→ This is definition 1, but not listed in the choices.

But the options are:

> □ Definition 2
> □ Definition 3

So unless the worksheet has a typo, this is problematic.

But "lapse in judgment" is a common phrase meaning a momentary failure of judgment → definition 1.

So likely, the intended answer was Definition 1, but it's missing from the choices.

Alternatively, perhaps the student is expected to know that "lapse" in this context is not definition 2 or 3.

But since it's not available, and assuming the worksheet is correct, maybe we should consider whether "lapse in judgment" could be interpreted as "to come to an end" (definition 3)? No — that doesn’t make sense.

Or "drop off"? No.

So definition 1 is correct, but not listed.

Possibility: Maybe the worksheet meant to say:

> □ Definition 1
> □ Definition 2

But it says:

> □ Definition 2
> □ Definition 3

So this appears to be a mistake in the worksheet.

But if we must choose from the given options, neither is correct.

However, in most educational contexts, this might be a typo, and the intended choice is Definition 1, but since it's not there, perhaps the question is flawed.

But let’s double-check the original image.

Wait — looking at the image again, the last question says:

> Which definition is used in the sentence below?
> Tom had a lapse in judgment when he took the candy without permission.
> □ Definition 2
> □ Definition 3

But definition 1 is not an option.

So this is likely a printing error.

But in reality, "lapse in judgment" means a brief failure, which is definition 1.

So the correct answer should be Definition 1, but it's not listed.

Therefore, the worksheet has an error.

But perhaps the student is supposed to recognize that definition 1 is correct even if not listed.

But since only 2 and 3 are options, and neither fits, it’s invalid.

Alternatively, maybe the word "lapse" here is being used differently?

No — "lapse in judgment" is standard usage for a brief failure.

So final verdict: The worksheet contains an error.

But for the sake of completing it, if forced to choose between 2 and 3, neither is correct.

But perhaps the intended answer was Definition 1, and the options were misprinted.

---

✔ Final Answers:

---

#### ① Alphabetical Order:

1. choose
2. corner
3. funnel
4. oasis
5. office
6. plenty
7. pound
8. principle
9. shack
10. simple
11. target
12. timber

---

#### ② Watch

- "My watch is slow..." → ③ (noun: time-telling device)
- "Watch for the dog..." → ① (verb: to be on the lookout)

---

#### Clutter

- "Pick up my clutter" → Definition 2 (noun: unorganized pile)

---

#### Lapse

- "After a lapse of two weeks" → Definition 2 (time between events)
- "Lapse in judgment" → Definition 1 (brief failure), but not listed — likely a worksheet error.

---

✔ Summary of Answers:

| Question | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| ① Alphabetical Order | See list above |
| ② My watch is slow | ③ |
| ② Watch for the dog | ① |
| Clutter | Definition 2 |
| Lapse of two weeks | Definition 2 |
| Lapse in judgment | Definition 1 (but not listed — possible error) |

---

If you're filling out the worksheet, write:

- For "lapse in judgment": Definition 1 (if allowed), otherwise note the discrepancy.

But based on the options provided, no correct choice exists.

Let me know if you'd like a corrected version of the worksheet!