English Unite - Synonyms Worksheet 2 - Free Printable

You're correct — this is a synonyms worksheet titled “Synonyms 2: Save the Rhino!” The task is to fill in the blanks in the second paragraph using synonyms of the underlined words from the first paragraph.

Let’s go step by step.

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🔍 Step 1: Identify the underlined words in the first paragraph and find their synonyms.

Here are the underlined words from the passage:

1. widely → synonym: broadly, commonly, generally
2. large → synonym: big, huge, massive
3. short → synonym: small, stubby, compact
4. renowned → synonym: famous, well-known, celebrated
5. poor → synonym: weak, bad, limited
6. well → synonym: highly, fully, strongly
7. primarily → synonym: mainly, chiefly, mostly
8. huge → synonym: enormous, massive, tremendous
9. rise → synonym: increase, growth, surge
10. supposed → synonym: alleged, claimed, purported
11. range → synonym: variety, spectrum, selection
12. crisis → synonym: emergency, problem, situation
13. primarily (again) → same as #7: mainly
14. consumed → synonym: used, eaten, taken
15. sign → synonym: symbol, mark, indicator
16. wealth → synonym: riches, fortune, affluence
17. loss → synonym: destruction, decline, reduction
18. especially → synonym: particularly, notably, specifically
19. rise (again) → same as #9: increase

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✔ Step 2: Fill in the blanks with appropriate synonyms

Now, let’s fill in the blanks in the second paragraph using suitable synonyms from above. We’ll choose the most natural fit for each context.

> Rhinoceroses are widely recognised by their large bodies, short legs and either one or two horns. They are well renowned for having poor eyesight, but their senses of smell and hearing are well developed.

→ Blanks:
- widely → commonly
- large → big
- short → stubby *(or “small” — “stubby” fits better for animal legs)*
- renowned → famous
- poor → weak
- well → highly

> Rhinos once roamed throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Today, very few rhinos survive outside protected areas. All five species are threatened, primarily by poaching.

→ Blank:
- primarily → mainly

> There has been a huge rise in poaching since 2008, particularly in South Africa.

→ Blanks:
- huge → tremendous
- rise → increase

> Powdered horn is used in traditional Asian medicine as a supposed cure for a range of illnesses. The current crisis has been primarily driven by the demand for horn by upper-middle class citizens in Vietnam. As well as its use in medicine, rhino horn is bought and consumed as a sign of wealth.

→ Blanks:
- supposed → claimed
- range → variety
- crisis → emergency
- primarily → chiefly
- consumed → used
- sign → symbol
- wealth → riches

> Habitat loss also threatens rhinos, especially in Southeast Asia and India, as human populations rise and forests are degraded or destroyed.

→ Blanks:
- loss → destruction
- especially → particularly
- rise → increase

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📝 Final Answer (Filled-in Paragraph):

Rhinoceroses are _commonly_ recognised by their _big_ bodies, _stubby_ legs and either one or two horns. They are well _famous_ for having _weak_ eyesight, but their senses of smell and hearing are _highly_ developed.

Rhinos once roamed throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Today, very few rhinos survive outside protected areas. All five species are threatened, _mainly_ by poaching.

There has been a _tremendous_ _increase_ in poaching since 2008, particularly in South Africa.

Powdered horn is used in traditional Asian medicine as a _claimed_ cure for a _variety_ of illnesses. The current _emergency_ has been _chiefly_ driven by the demand for horn by upper-middle class citizens in Vietnam. As well as its use in medicine, rhino horn is bought and _used_ as a _symbol_ of _riches_.

Habitat _destruction_ also threatens rhinos, _particularly_ in Southeast Asia and India, as human populations _increase_ and forests are degraded or destroyed.

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💡 Tip for Students:

Always consider the context when choosing synonyms. For example:
- “Short legs” → “stubby” sounds more natural than “small” for animal anatomy.
- “Sign of wealth” → “symbol of riches” keeps the meaning and tone.
- “Rise in poaching” → “increase in poaching” is the most direct synonym.

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✔ This completes the worksheet! You’ve successfully replaced each underlined word with a synonym while keeping the meaning clear and natural. Great job saving the rhino — and practicing your vocabulary! 🦏📚