The Secret Garden
| Word | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neglected | not cared for | abandoned | tended |
| Overgrown | covered with plants | wild | trimmed |
| Mysterious | difficult to understand | enigmatic | clear |
| Desolate | empty and lonely | barren | populated |
| Curious | eager to know | inquisitive | indifferent |
| Retreat | a quiet, private place | sanctuary | exposure |
| Blossom | to produce flowers; to flourish | bloom | wither |
| Forbidding | looking threatening | hostile | welcoming |
The Devoted Son
| Word | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devoted | deeply committed | dedicated | negligent |
| Aged | old in years | elderly | youthful |
| Irony | something opposite to what is expected | paradox | — |
| Frail | weak and delicate | feeble | strong |
| Dutiful | careful to do what one should | obedient | disobedient |
| Ailing | ill or unwell | sick | healthy |
| Meticulous | very careful and precise | thorough | careless |
The Tower of London
| Word | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortress | a large, strong building for defence | stronghold | ruin |
| Captive | a person kept prisoner | prisoner | free person |
| Execution | carrying out a death sentence | beheading | pardon |
| Imposing | grand and impressive | magnificent | insignificant |
| Medieval | relating to the Middle Ages | ancient | modern |
| Moat | a ditch filled with water around a castle | trench | — |
| Legend | a story passed down through time | myth | fact |
Exploring the Deep Blue Sea
| Word | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioluminescence | light produced by living organisms | natural glow | darkness |
| Abyss | a very deep space | chasm | surface |
| Expedition | a journey for a specific purpose | voyage | stay |
| Pressure | force applied per unit area | force | relief |
| Species | a group of similar living organisms | variety | — |
| Unexplored | not yet discovered or mapped | unknown | mapped |
| Hydrothermal | relating to hot water in the earth | geothermal | — |
The Power of Music
| Word | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melody | a pleasing sequence of notes | tune | noise |
| Harmony | a pleasing combination of sounds | accord | discord |
| Soothing | calming and gentle | comforting | agitating |
| Captivate | to attract and hold attention | enchant | repel |
| Vibration | a rapid back-and-forth movement | resonance | stillness |
| Transform | to change completely | convert | preserve |
Poem: Friendship
| Word | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyal | faithful and devoted | trustworthy | disloyal |
| Sincere | genuine and honest | heartfelt | insincere |
| Cherish | to hold dear | treasure | neglect |
| Betray | to be disloyal | deceive | protect |
| Compassion | sympathy for others' suffering | empathy | cruelty |
Poem: The Song of the Flower
| Word | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fragrance | a pleasant smell | aroma | stench |
| Caress | a gentle, loving touch | stroke | blow |
| Slumber | light sleep | doze | wakefulness |
| Dew | water droplets on cool surfaces | moisture | drought |
| Meadow | an open field with grass and flowers | pasture | desert |
| Hailed | greeted with approval | welcomed | ignored |
Poem: I Wonder
| Word | Meaning | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wonder | to feel curious or amazed | marvel | ignore |
| Ponder | to think carefully | reflect | disregard |
| Twilight | soft light after sunset | dusk | dawn |
| Beneath | below; under | under | above |
| Sparkle | to shine with small points of light | glitter | dull |
| Enquiry | a request for information | investigation | answer |
Common Confusable Word Pairs
| Pair | Meaning |
|---|---|
| affect / effect | affect = verb (to influence); effect = noun (result) |
| principal / principle | principal = head of school; principle = rule |
| their / there / they're | possession / place / "they are" |
| its / it's | possession / "it is" |
| further / farther | degree / physical distance |
| accept / except | to receive / to exclude |
High-Frequency Synonyms for Essay Writing
| Basic word | Better alternatives |
|---|---|
| good | excellent, remarkable, commendable |
| bad | terrible, dreadful, appalling |
| big | enormous, massive, gigantic |
| small | tiny, minute, insignificant |
| said | remarked, stated, declared, argued |
| beautiful | magnificent, stunning, breathtaking |
| important | crucial, vital, significant |
| help | assist, support, aid |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aim for 10–15 words per chapter. Focus on words that appear in 1-mark questions, such as synonyms, antonyms, match the following, and fill in the blank.