Dictionary Skills and Guide Words Worksheets - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to solve each part of the worksheet.

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Part 1: Alphabetical Order

We need to put these 12 words in alphabetical order:

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

First, list all the words together:

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

Now, sort them letter by letter.

Start with “c”:
→ choose, corner

Then “f”:
→ funnel

Then “o”:
→ oasis, office

Then “p”:
→ plenty, pound, principle

Then “s”:
→ shack, simple

Then “t”:
→ target, timber

Wait — let’s double-check the full alphabetical order carefully:

List again and compare first letters:

choose (c)
corner (c) → c-h vs c-o → choose comes before corner? Wait no!

Actually:
“choose” starts with c-h
“corner” starts with c-o
Since h comes before o → choose comes before corner

But wait — let’s write them properly:

Alphabet: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

So for “c” words:

- choose → c-h-o-o-s-e
- corner → c-o-r-n-e-r

Compare second letter: h vs o → h comes first → so choose is before corner

Next: funnel (f)

Then oasis (o), office (o) → oasis vs office → a vs f → a comes first → oasis before office

Then plenty (p), pound (p), principle (p) → compare second letter: l, o, r → l < o < r → so plenty, then pound, then principle

Then shack (s), simple (s) → h vs i → h comes first → shack before simple

Then target (t), timber (t) → a vs i → a comes first → target before timber

So final 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

✔ Double-checked — this is correct.

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Part 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 that tells time → Definition 3

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

Here, “watch” means to look out for something → Definition 1

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Part 3: 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 what you pick up — it’s a thing, not an action → So it’s a noun → Definition 2

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Part 4: 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.*

“Lapse” here means the time that passed → Definition 2

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

“Lapse in judgment” = a mistake or failure → Definition 1

Note: The last question says “Which definition is used...” and gives options: Definition 2 or Definition 3 — but based on context, it should be Definition 1. However, looking at the worksheet, it says:

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

That seems like a typo in the worksheet — because “lapse in judgment” matches Definition 1 (“a brief failure”), not 2 or 3.

But since only Definitions 2 and 3 are offered as choices, we must check if either fits.

Definition 2: “The time that passes between two events” — doesn’t fit “lapse in judgment”

Definition 3: “To come to an end” — also doesn’t fit

Wait — perhaps the worksheet meant to include Definition 1 as an option? But it doesn’t.

Looking back at the image description — actually, in the original problem, for the last question, it says:

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

But according to standard meaning, it should be Definition 1.

However, maybe there’s a misprint. Let’s re-read the definitions given for “Lapse”:

In the box:

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

And the sentence: “Tom had a lapse in judgment” — clearly uses Definition 1.

But the multiple choice only offers Definition 2 or 3.

This is likely an error in the worksheet. Since we have to choose from what’s given, and neither 2 nor 3 fits perfectly, but perhaps they expect us to realize that “lapse” as a noun meaning “failure” isn’t listed in the options — so maybe it’s a trick?

Wait — looking again at the user’s provided text:

> 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 in the actual image (as described), it might be different. However, since we’re going by the text provided, and assuming it’s accurate, we must note that Definition 1 is the correct one, but it’s not an option.

Alternatively — perhaps in some contexts, “lapse” can mean “to fail”, which is close to Definition 1, but again, not listed.

Given the constraints, and since the student must pick from 2 or 3, and neither fits, but if forced, we’d say none — but that’s not helpful.

Wait — let me check the original problem again as written in the user input:

In the user input, under “Lapse”, it lists 4 definitions, and then asks:

> Which definition is used in the sentence below?
> We returned to school after a lapse of two weeks.
> ☐ Definition 1 ☐ Definition 2 ☐ Definition 3

That one is clearly Definition 2.

Then:

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

Ah — here, it’s possible that the worksheet intends for students to recognize that “lapse in judgment” is a “brief failure” — which is Definition 1 — but since it’s not an option, perhaps it’s a mistake.

But looking closely — in the user’s text, for the last question, it says:

> ☐ Definition 2 ☐ Definition 3

But Definition 1 is “noun – A brief failure” — which is exactly what “lapse in judgment” means.

I think there’s a typo in the worksheet — it should offer Definition 1 as an option.

However, since we must answer based on what’s given, and assuming the worksheet is correct as presented, perhaps in this context, they consider “lapse” as “coming to an end” — but that doesn’t fit.

Another possibility: maybe “lapse” in “lapse in judgment” is being treated as a verb? But the sentence says “had a lapse” — so it’s a noun.

I think the best approach is to point out that Definition 1 is correct, but since it’s not an option, and the worksheet may have an error, for the purpose of this exercise, we’ll assume that the intended answer is Definition 1 — but since it’s not available, perhaps the student should select nothing — but that’s not practical.

Wait — let’s look back at the user’s exact text:

In the section for “Lapse”, after defining the four meanings, it says:

> Which definition is used in the sentence below?
> We returned to school after a lapse of two weeks.
> ☐ Definition 1 ☐ Definition 2 ☐ Definition 3

Answer: Definition 2

Then:

> 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

Here, it’s missing Definition 1 as an option. This is likely an oversight.

But in many educational materials, “lapse in judgment” is taught as Definition 1.

Given that, and since we have to provide an answer, I will assume that the worksheet meant to include Definition 1, and perhaps it’s a formatting error. For accuracy, I’ll state that Definition 1 is correct, but since it’s not an option, and if forced to choose between 2 and 3, neither is correct — but that’s not helpful for a student.

Perhaps in this context, “lapse” is being used as “a break” or “gap”, which could loosely relate to Definition 2, but that’s a stretch.

After careful thought, I recall that in some dictionaries, “lapse” can mean “a temporary failure of concentration or memory”, which is Definition 1.

I think the safest thing is to go with the most logical answer based on standard usage, even if the options are limited.

But since the instruction is to solve the problem as given, and the worksheet provides only Definition 2 and 3 for that question, and neither fits, I will note that and proceed.

However, upon re-examining the user's input, I see that in the "Lapse" section, 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 in the initial definition list, Definition 1 is "noun – A brief failure", which is correct.

I suspect a typo in the worksheet, and it should be "Definition 1" as an option.

For the sake of completing the task, I will assume that the intended answer is Definition 1, but since it's not listed, and to align with common teaching, I'll mark it as such — but the format requires choosing from given options.

Perhaps the student is expected to know that "lapse in judgment" is Definition 1, and the worksheet has a mistake.

Given the constraints, I will provide the answers as per correct understanding, and for the last one, since Definition 1 is not an option, but it's the right one, I'll still indicate it.

But to follow instructions strictly, let's complete the worksheet as is.

Final decision:

For "Tom had a lapse in judgment", the correct definition is 1, but since it's not an option, and the worksheet might have an error, I will leave it as is and provide the answer based on logic.

In many similar worksheets, this is Definition 1.

I think for accuracy, I'll state the correct definition even if not listed.

But the response format requires final answer, so I'll compile all answers.

Let me summarize all answers clearly.

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Final Answers Compilation:

Part 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

Part 2: Watch

- My watch is slow... → Definition 3
- On your walk, watch for... → Definition 1

Part 3: Clutter

- Mom told me to pick up my clutter... → Definition 2

Part 4: Lapse

- We returned to school after a lapse of two weeks. → Definition 2
- Tom had a lapse in judgment... → Should be Definition 1, but since only 2 and 3 are options, and neither fits, but if must choose, perhaps it's a mistake. However, in context, "lapse in judgment" is a failure, so Definition 1. Given the options, I think the worksheet may have intended to include Definition 1, so I'll assume it's a typo and the answer is Definition 1. But to match the format, since it's not there, I'll note that.

Upon double-checking the user's input, in the "Lapse" section, the last question has options "Definition 2" and "Definition 3", but logically, it should be Definition 1.

I found a resolution: in some curricula, "lapse" in "lapse in judgment" is categorized under "a brief failure", which is Definition 1. Since the worksheet omits it, but for the student's benefit, I will provide the correct answer as Definition 1, and assume the worksheet has an error.

For the final answer section, I'll list all responses as required.

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Final Answer:

Part 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

Part 2: Watch
- First sentence: ③
- Second sentence: ①

Part 3: Clutter
- Definition 2

Part 4: Lapse
- First sentence: Definition 2
- Second sentence: Definition 1 (though not listed in options, it is correct; if forced to choose from given, it may be an error, but based on meaning, it's Definition 1)

Since the worksheet for the last lapse question only offers Definition 2 and 3, and neither is correct, but to provide an answer, I will state that the correct choice is Definition 1, and perhaps the student should inform the teacher.

For the purpose of this response, I'll box the answers as per standard interpretation.

In the final answer, I'll write:

For the last lapse question, since Definition 1 is not an option, but it is the correct one, I will include it in the answer.

But to adhere to the worksheet's options, perhaps it's better to say:

After careful review, for "Tom had a lapse in judgment", the definition used is "a brief failure" which is Definition 1. Since it's not listed in the choices for that question, there might be a mistake in the worksheet. However, based on the content, the answer should be Definition 1.

For the final output, I'll provide the answers as:

Final Answer:

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

Part 2:
First sentence: 3
Second sentence: 1

Part 3:
Definition 2

Part 4:
First sentence: Definition 2
Second sentence: Definition 1

Even though Definition 1 is not an option in the worksheet for the second lapse question, it is the correct answer.