Antonyms

Upper Primary 8 questions

What antonyms means

You learn to pick words with opposite meanings. This helps you understand texts, choose the right answer in vocabulary questions, and build stronger word knowledge.

What you will practise

Choose a word that means the opposite of a given word.
Match simple opposite pairs from everyday English.
Use meaning clues to reject words that do not fit.
Check whether the answer works in the sentence.

Before you start

You should be able to read common words and understand basic meanings. It also helps to know a few simple word pairs, such as big and small.

Not confident yet? Work through Synonyms first.

Worked example

One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.

Question

Which word is an antonym of "hot"?

warm
cold
boiling
heated

Answer: cold

Working: "Cold" is the opposite of "hot".

Common mistakes to avoid

Choosing a related word instead of the opposite. Read both words carefully before answering.
Using a synonym by mistake. Remember that this task asks for the opposite meaning.
Guessing from sound rather than meaning. Think about what the word really means.
Missing the context in the question. Check whether the word fits the exact idea given.

Curriculum and exam alignment

Ghana GES Basic 4 to 6 syllabusGroundwork for the BECE

In Upper Primary, this kind of vocabulary work usually appears within word meaning and reading support. It can help with school-based assessment and build a foundation for BECE-style language questions.

Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.