Question bank: Synonymy and Antonymy

When we speak, write, or read, we use many different words to say similar or even opposite things. For example, 'small' and 'size' are words with similar meanings, while 'happy' and 'sad' have opposite meanings. Now, think of two words that have almost the same meanings, in other words, are almost synonyms. Then, think of two words that have opposite meanings, or are antonyms. Write down these words and explain why you think they are similar or opposite.

Gabriel and Rafael are two friends who really enjoy studying and playing with words. One day, during Portuguese class, the teacher proposed an activity in which they should identify words with opposite meanings, that is, antonyms. The task was part of an educational game in which students needed, besides recognizing antonyms, to find their respective synonyms. The word 'cold' was presented as an example, and the teacher explained that 'hot' would be an antonym of this word, while 'icy' would be a synonym. Intrigued by the complexity of the activity, the two friends started debating about the possible answers for the presented words, when Gabriel had an idea of how they could better structure the search for the correct synonyms and antonyms. Using the knowledge acquired in Science classes, he remembered the concepts of 'stealth' and 'visibility', realizing that these terms could help them better understand the difference between synonyms and antonyms. Based on this reflection, what would be the term that would mean exactly the opposite and that, according to Rafael's idea, could be easily associated with the word 'visibility'?

João likes to play with his dog in the park, where he can see birds flying high in the sky. On a sunny day, João noticed that while some birds were singing cheerfully, others were quiet. Considering the words used to describe the actions of the birds, identify a pair of synonyms and a pair of antonyms suitable for the context of João's story in the park.

When we speak or write, we use many different words to describe things. Some words have similar meanings, like 'big' and 'huge', they mean that something is much, much larger. Other words, on the contrary, have opposite meanings, like 'happy' and 'sad', which show different feelings. Now, think of a fruit that you really like and write its name. Then, think of a word that means the same as 'sweet'. Finally, I want you to remember a word that is the opposite of 'sour', that is, the taste that is the opposite of sour. Write down the three words and explain why they are similar or different, according to what you have learned about words with similar and opposite meanings.

In reading the following excerpt, identify the words that have opposite meanings and those that have similar meanings, but are not identical, highlighting the terms that fit into synonymy and antonymy.