English Unite - Synonyms Worksheet 2 - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: English Unite - Synonyms Worksheet 2. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Step-by-step solution for: English Unite - Synonyms Worksheet 2
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: English Unite - Synonyms Worksheet 2
This worksheet is a synonyms exercise titled *"Save the Rhino!"* from *English Unite*. The task is to fill in the blanks with synonyms for the underlined words or phrases in the original text. Below is the original text, followed by the corrected version with synonyms and an explanation of each synonym choice.
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> 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.
> Rhinos once roamed throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Today, very few rhinos survive outside protected areas. All five species are threatened, primarily by poaching.
> There has been a huge rise in poaching since 2008, particularly in South Africa.
> 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.
> Habitat loss also threatens rhinos, especially in Southeast Asia and India, as human populations rise and forests are degraded or destroyed.
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> Rhinoceroses are commonly recognised by their big bodies, short legs and either one or two horns. They are well known for having bad eyesight, but their senses of smell and hearing are fully developed.
> Rhinos once wandered 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 massive increase in poaching since 2008, particularly in South Africa.
> Powdered horn is used in traditional Asian medicine as a believed cure for a variety of illnesses. The current emergency has been mostly 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 symbol of affluence.
> Habitat destruction also threatens rhinos, particularly in Southeast Asia and India, as human populations grow and forests are degraded or destroyed.
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1. widely → commonly
- Both mean "by many people" or "in general." "Commonly" fits naturally here.
2. large → big
- Simple synonym. "Big" is more informal but acceptable in this context.
3. short → short
- This word doesn’t need a synonym; it's already clear and simple. But if we wanted variation, "stubby" could work, though "short" is best.
4. renowned → known
- "Renowned" means famous, so "known" is a simpler synonym.
5. poor → bad
- "Poor" vision = "bad" vision — both mean not good.
6. well developed → fully developed
- "Well" implies completeness; "fully" conveys the same idea.
7. roamed → wandered
- "Roamed" means moved around freely; "wandered" is a close synonym.
8. primarily → mainly
- Both mean "mostly" or "chiefly."
9. huge rise → massive increase
- "Huge" = "massive"; "rise" = "increase." Together, they form a natural phrase.
10. supposed → believed
- "Supposed" means thought to be true, but not proven. "Believed" captures that meaning.
11. range → variety
- A "range" of illnesses = a "variety" of illnesses.
12. crisis → emergency
- "Crisis" refers to a serious problem; "emergency" is a strong synonym.
13. primarily → mostly
- Again, "mostly" is a simpler synonym.
14. sign of wealth → symbol of affluence
- "Sign" = "symbol"; "wealth" = "affluence" (more formal).
15. loss → destruction
- "Loss" of habitat can be rephrased as "destruction" of habitat — both imply harm.
16. especially → particularly
- These are near-identical in meaning.
17. rise → grow
- "Rise" (verb) = "grow" (verb). "Populations grow" is natural.
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The completed worksheet should look like this:
> Rhinoceroses are commonly recognised by their big bodies, short legs and either one or two horns. They are well known for having bad eyesight, but their senses of smell and hearing are fully developed.
> Rhinos once wandered 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 massive increase in poaching since 2008, particularly in South Africa.
> Powdered horn is used in traditional Asian medicine as a believed cure for a variety of illnesses. The current emergency has been mostly 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 symbol of affluence.
> Habitat destruction also threatens rhinos, particularly in Southeast Asia and India, as human populations grow and forests are degraded or destroyed.
---
This activity helps students:
- Expand vocabulary.
- Understand context-based synonym usage.
- Improve reading comprehension and writing fluency.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a teacher’s answer key!
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🔹 Original Text (with underlined words):
> 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.
> Rhinos once roamed throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Today, very few rhinos survive outside protected areas. All five species are threatened, primarily by poaching.
> There has been a huge rise in poaching since 2008, particularly in South Africa.
> 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.
> Habitat loss also threatens rhinos, especially in Southeast Asia and India, as human populations rise and forests are degraded or destroyed.
---
✔ Filled-in Version (Using Synonyms):
> Rhinoceroses are commonly recognised by their big bodies, short legs and either one or two horns. They are well known for having bad eyesight, but their senses of smell and hearing are fully developed.
> Rhinos once wandered 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 massive increase in poaching since 2008, particularly in South Africa.
> Powdered horn is used in traditional Asian medicine as a believed cure for a variety of illnesses. The current emergency has been mostly 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 symbol of affluence.
> Habitat destruction also threatens rhinos, particularly in Southeast Asia and India, as human populations grow and forests are degraded or destroyed.
---
📚 Explanation of Each Synonym:
1. widely → commonly
- Both mean "by many people" or "in general." "Commonly" fits naturally here.
2. large → big
- Simple synonym. "Big" is more informal but acceptable in this context.
3. short → short
- This word doesn’t need a synonym; it's already clear and simple. But if we wanted variation, "stubby" could work, though "short" is best.
4. renowned → known
- "Renowned" means famous, so "known" is a simpler synonym.
5. poor → bad
- "Poor" vision = "bad" vision — both mean not good.
6. well developed → fully developed
- "Well" implies completeness; "fully" conveys the same idea.
7. roamed → wandered
- "Roamed" means moved around freely; "wandered" is a close synonym.
8. primarily → mainly
- Both mean "mostly" or "chiefly."
9. huge rise → massive increase
- "Huge" = "massive"; "rise" = "increase." Together, they form a natural phrase.
10. supposed → believed
- "Supposed" means thought to be true, but not proven. "Believed" captures that meaning.
11. range → variety
- A "range" of illnesses = a "variety" of illnesses.
12. crisis → emergency
- "Crisis" refers to a serious problem; "emergency" is a strong synonym.
13. primarily → mostly
- Again, "mostly" is a simpler synonym.
14. sign of wealth → symbol of affluence
- "Sign" = "symbol"; "wealth" = "affluence" (more formal).
15. loss → destruction
- "Loss" of habitat can be rephrased as "destruction" of habitat — both imply harm.
16. especially → particularly
- These are near-identical in meaning.
17. rise → grow
- "Rise" (verb) = "grow" (verb). "Populations grow" is natural.
---
✔ Final Answer Summary:
The completed worksheet should look like this:
> Rhinoceroses are commonly recognised by their big bodies, short legs and either one or two horns. They are well known for having bad eyesight, but their senses of smell and hearing are fully developed.
> Rhinos once wandered 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 massive increase in poaching since 2008, particularly in South Africa.
> Powdered horn is used in traditional Asian medicine as a believed cure for a variety of illnesses. The current emergency has been mostly 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 symbol of affluence.
> Habitat destruction also threatens rhinos, particularly in Southeast Asia and India, as human populations grow and forests are degraded or destroyed.
---
💡 Purpose of the Exercise:
This activity helps students:
- Expand vocabulary.
- Understand context-based synonym usage.
- Improve reading comprehension and writing fluency.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a teacher’s answer key!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of worksheet synonym.
