English Unite - Synonyms Worksheet 1 - Free Printable

To solve this worksheet, we need to find synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) for the underlined words in the reading passage. Then, we fill those synonyms into the blanks in the summary paragraph below.

Here is the step-by-step breakdown:

1. live → A synonym for "live" in the context of where animals stay is reside or dwell. "Reside" is a very common synonym used in school exercises.
2. limit → The text says developments "limit" pandas to the mountains. This means they restrict or confine them. Restrict or confine are good synonyms. "Restrict" fits well here.
3. cool → The forests are described as "cool." A synonym could be chilly, cold, or temperate. Given it's about temperature, chilly or cold works. Let's look at the context. "Cool forests" often implies a specific climate. Chilly is a direct synonym for cool.
4. large → The panda has "large" molar teeth. Synonyms include big, huge, or enormous. Big is simple and accurate. Huge is also good. Let's use big or huge.
5. strong → The jaw muscles are "strong." Synonyms include powerful or mighty. Powerful is the best fit for muscles.
6. tough → The bamboo is "tough." Synonyms include hard, difficult, or sturdy. For food/materials, hard is the most direct synonym.
7. listed → The panda is "listed" as endangered. This means it is classified, categorized, or recorded. Classified is a strong academic synonym often used in this context.
8. about → There are "about" 1600 left. This means approximately. Synonyms include approximately, around, or nearly. Approximately is precise.
9. left → There are 1600 "left" in the wild. This means remaining.
10. around → Breeding centres "around" the world. This means throughout, across, or all over. Throughout or across fits well.
11. almost → The diet is "almost" exclusively bamboo. Synonyms include nearly, practically, or virtually. Nearly is very common.
12. small → Occasional "small" rodents. Synonyms include tiny, little, or miniature. Tiny or little works.
13. spends → A wild panda "spends" much of its day... Synonyms include passes or uses. Passes is the standard synonym for time.
14. looking → "...and looking for food." This is part of the phrase "looking for," which means searching. So the synonym for "looking" in this context is searching.
15. find → Many people "find" giant pandas to be cute. This means they consider or think they are. Synonyms include consider, think, or believe. Consider is the best fit for "find [something] to be [adjective]."
16. cute → Pandas are "cute." Synonyms include adorable, lovely, or charming. Adorable is a very close synonym for cute.

Let's refine the choices to ensure they fit grammatically and contextually:

1. live → reside
2. limit → restrict (or confine)
3. cool → chilly (or cold)
4. large → big (or huge)
5. strong → powerful
6. tough → hard
7. listed → classified
8. about → approximately
9. left → remaining
10. around → throughout (or across)
11. almost → nearly
12. small → tiny (or little)
13. spends → passes
14. looking → searching
15. find → consider
16. cute → adorable

Now, let's plug them into the sentences to check flow:

* Giant pandas reside in a few mountain ranges... (Good)
* ...developments now restrict giant pandas... (Good)
* ...keeps it warm in the chilly forests... (Good)
* They have big molar teeth... (Good)
* ...and powerful jaw muscles... (Good)
* ...for crushing hard bamboo. (Good)
* The giant panda is classified as an endangered species. (Good)
* There are approximately 1600... (Good)
* ...1600 remaining in the wild. (Good)
* ...breeding centres throughout the world. (Good)
* ...diet is nearly exclusively bamboo. (Good)
* ...occasional tiny rodents. (Good)
* A wild panda passes much of its day... (Good)
* ...feeding, and searching for food. (Good)
* Many people consider giant pandas to be... (Good)
* ...to be adorable, but they can be... (Good)

These synonyms are appropriate for a middle-school level English exercise.

Final Answer:
Giant pandas reside in a few mountain ranges in China. They once lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other developments now restrict giant pandas to the mountains.
The panda’s thick, woolly coat keeps it warm in the chilly forests of its habitat. They have big molar teeth and powerful jaw muscles for crushing hard bamboo.
The giant panda is classified as an endangered species. There are approximately 1600 remaining in the wild. More than 300 pandas live in zoos and breeding centres throughout the world.
A wild panda’s diet is nearly exclusively bamboo. The balance consists of other grasses and occasional tiny rodents. A wild panda passes much of its day resting, feeding, and searching for food. Unlike other bears, giant pandas do not hibernate.
Many people consider giant pandas to be adorable, but they can be as dangerous as any other bear.