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Academic English- Synonyms

A LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS

Synonyms of academic vocabulary memory game

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Lesson Plan Content:


Academic English synonyms reversi

Instructions for teachers

Preparation

Photocopy and cut out one set of 22 cards per group of two to five people (bigger groups are better in classes who might struggle with the activity). Do not cut down the middle vertical line, as this is where the cards should be folded so that the two words or expressions that are synonyms (e.g. “Commence” and “Start”) are on opposite sides of the card and so can’t be seen at the same time.

 

In class

Give out the sets of cards and ask them to fold them (if you have not already done so) and place the whole pack in a vertical column on the table so it looks like a ladder, with each card being one rung. It doesn’t matter which side is up on each card at the start of the game. The first person should look at the card at the bottom of the “ladder” and try to guess what the synonym on the other side of the card is, e.g. guessing that “Artificial” is on the other side of “Man-made”. When there is more than one option they only have to guess one of them, but they must guess one of the words on the card, even if other answers are possible.

If they are correct, the card is turned over so that the synonym is now displayed. They can then try to do the same with the next card, i.e. the one above it on table. Whenever they make a mistake, that card stays the same way up as before and play passes to the next person. That person must do the same, starting at the bottom of the ladder each and every time (throughout the game), but the next person will mainly be converting the other way round, e.g. converting “Artificial” to “Man-made”, as the last person will have turned over the cards they got right.

Whoever can go right from the bottom to the top of the ladder without making any mistakes in one go is the winner of the game. If no one manages that, the person who has reached the highest point wins.

If students get stuck, let them work together rather than compete, but still going back to the bottom every time they make a mistake and so needing to get through the whole lot with no errors to finish.

At the end of the activity give them one photocopied version (not cut up) to keep for reference.

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Cards to cut/ Suggested answers

Photocopy one complete set of the cards below per group of two to five students. Cut along all but the middle vertical line to make 22 cards with a vertical line across the middle of each pair of words with the same meaning, then fold along these lines to make cards with synonyms on opposite sides.

 

Outcome

 

 

Result

 

 

Acquire/ Obtain

 

 

Get

 

Commence

 

 

Start

 

Retain

 

 

Keep

 

 

Reside/ Exist

 

 

Live (v)

 

Pursue

 

 

Chase (after)

 

Modify something

 

Change something

 

 

Artificial

 

Man-made

 

 

Exploit

 

Use/ Misuse

 

 

Accumulate

 

Gather together

 

 

The majority of people

 

 

Most people

 

The vast majority of people

 

 

Almost everyone

 

Be absolutely identical

 

 

Be exactly the same

 

A variation

 

 

A change/ A difference

 

The elderly

 

 

Old people

 

Refer to/ Make reference to

 

Mention

 

 

In the correct manner

 

 

In the right way

 

Attain

 

 

Reach/ Achieve

 

Brief

 

Short

 

 

Cease

 

Stop

 

 

Cite

 

 

Quote

 

Confirm

 

 

Check

 

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