Adjectives of Nature and Environment - B1 Synonyms

Objective & content

A one-page B1 printable on adjectives of nature and the environment, built on eight synonym pairs such as global / worldwide and poisonous / dangerous. Students draw a line from each of the eight words in the left column to the word in the right column that means something very similar; the right column is printed in a different order.

Pedagogical guide

These pairs are looser than usual: cold / frozen and hot / warm differ in degree, and poisonous is narrower than dangerous. Treat them as a chance to talk about strength and range, not to hunt for one right answer; the answer key page gives the intended pairing. eastern / east and western / west link an adjective to its noun form.

Suggested procedure

1. (5 min) Read the left-hand column aloud, then the right-hand column, which is printed in a different order.
2. (10 min) Students work alone in pencil and draw a line from each left-hand word to the word of very similar meaning on the right.
3. (5 min) Pairs compare their lines and defend any difference before you check.
4. (5 min) Correct with the answer key page. Ask which is stronger, cold or frozen, and name a place where each fits.

Adaptations

[S] Fold the sheet so that only four left-hand words show, and start with the clearest pairs, such as global / worldwide.

[A] Students find one thing that is dangerous but not poisonous, then explain the difference in one sentence.

Materials & prerequisites

One printed copy per student and a pencil rather than a pen. Keep the answer key page for yourself.