Animal Shelter Word Tools: Dictionary, Glossary and Thesaurus
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Animal Shelter Word Tools: Dictionary, Glossary and Thesaurus
Look up pronunciations and precise meanings for a shelter newsletter.
Use the dictionary
Use these dictionary entries to answer the questions. In each pronunciation guide, the syllable in capital letters is said with the most stress.
Kai volunteers every Saturday at the Willow Lane Animal Shelter. This month, Kai is writing the "Meet the Pets" page for the shelter's newsletter. To get every word right, Kai uses three tools: a dictionary, the glossary at the back of the Volunteer Handbook, and a thesaurus.
foster (FAW-ster) verb 1. to take care of a child or an animal in your home for a while without adopting it 2. to help something grow or develop adjective 3. giving or getting care in a home for a while: a foster home
litter (LIT-er) noun 1. trash, such as wrappers and cans, left lying on the ground 2. a group of baby animals born to one mother at the same time 3. loose material, such as clay or paper bits, put in a box for a cat to use as a bathroom
recordnoun (REK-erd) 1. written facts about something, kept so they can be used later 2. the best or fastest that has ever been done verb (ri-KORD) 3. to write down information so it can be used later 4. to save sounds or pictures so they can be played again
veterinarian (vet-er-uh-NAIR-ee-uhn) noun a doctor who is trained to care for and treat animals
1.
The newsletter says: Daisy and her litter of five kittens are ready for new homes. Which definition of litter is used in this sentence?
2.
Match each sentence to the definition of foster that it uses.
3.
Read the sentence: Volunteers record each puppy's weight on a chart every Monday. How is record said in this sentence, and which definition fits?
4.
Read the sentence: Biscuit set a shelter record when he was adopted just one hour after he arrived. How is record said in this sentence, and which definition fits?
5.
Look at the pronunciation guide for veterinarian. Which syllable do you say with the most stress?
6.
The hyphens in a pronunciation guide split a word into syllables. How many syllables does the guide show for veterinarian? Write the number.
The pronunciation guide shows syllables.
Use the glossary and the thesaurus
Use the glossary and thesaurus entries below. Some questions also send you back to the dictionary.
From the glossary of the Volunteer Handbook enrichment: toys, puzzles and activities that keep an animal's mind busy intake: the steps for checking in a new animal when it first arrives at the shelter socialization: helping an animal get used to people, places and other animals
From the thesaurus niceadjective: friendly (glad to meet new people), gentle (soft and careful when moving or touching), patient (able to wait calmly), playful (full of fun and ready for games) shyadjective: timid (easily frightened), wary (careful because you are not yet sure something is safe), bashful (easily embarrassed around others). Antonyms: bold, outgoing
7.
The handbook says: Give each cat ten minutes of enrichment every afternoon. Use the glossary. What should Kai do with each cat?
8.
Kai wants a precise word for Pepper. Pepper is not frightened, but she watches each new person closely for a while before she lets them pet her. Which word from the thesaurus describes Pepper best?
9.
Kai used the word nice too many times. Use the thesaurus entry for nice. Write the most precise word from the word bank for each pet.
1. Rocco is . He sits quietly and waits while his food bowl is filled. 2. Mango is . She trots over to say hello to every new visitor. 3. Clover is . He takes treats softly from your hand without nipping. 4. Juniper is . She drops her ball at your feet and begs you to throw it.
10.
Kai has some questions. Which tool on this worksheet answers each one: the dictionary, the glossary or the thesaurus? Sort the questions.
11.
Kai's dictionary says enrichment means "the act of making something richer or better." Why is the handbook's glossary more helpful for understanding the handbook?
12.
Write a sentence for the newsletter that uses record said as REK-erd. Then write the number of the definition you used.