Basic Details
Word: Straw
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A thin, long piece of dried grass or other plant material often used for bedding, packaging, or making crafts.
Synonyms: Hay, fibre, stubble
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- Grasping at straws: Trying to find a solution in a hopeless situation. Example: "After failing the test, he was just grasping at straws when he asked if there was extra credit available."
- Straw that broke the camel's back: The last problem or issue that caused a situation to become unbearable. Example: "When she forgot to return the library book, it was the straw that broke the camel's back for her parents, and they took away her phone."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The farmer uses straw as bedding for his animals to keep them warm and comfortable.
Example 2: For our art project, we made a scarecrow using straw and old clothes.
Example 3: They put down straw on the muddy pathway to make it easier to walk on during the rainy season.
Fun Fact
Did you know that straw is often used in traditional building materials like thatch roofs? It is not only lightweight but also provides great insulation!
Famous Quote
"A straw in the wind is worth a hundred pounds in the hand." This proverb suggests that small signs or hints can be as valuable or informative as a large, obvious outcome.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "straw" mean?
a) A type of flower
b) A thin piece of dried plant material
c) A kind of fruit
d) A type of animal
Answer: b) A thin piece of dried plant material
2. Which of these is a synonym of "straw"?
a) Fabric
b) Hay
c) Clay
d) Wood
Answer: b) Hay
3. Which sentence uses "straw" correctly?
a) I used straw to build a model castle for my project.
b) The straw jumped over the fence.
c) The straw was singing a beautiful song.
d) The straw danced at the fair.
Answer: a) I used straw to build a model castle for my project.
4. Which idiom means trying to find a solution in a hopeless situation?
a) Straw that broke the camel's back
b) Grasping at straws
c) At the end of the straw
d) Cutting corners
Answer: b) Grasping at straws
5. What is the opposite of "straw"?
a) N/A
b) Ice
c) Rock
d) Water
Answer: a) N/A
