Information Skills

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References
There are a large number of reference books and resources. This lesson will help you become more aware of how they can be used.

Do you recognize some of these reference books?
atlas, gazetteer, thesaurus, almanac, encyclopedia of humor, book of famous quotations, dictionary of common sayings, Dictionary of English History, dictionary of synonyms and antonyms, Spanish dictionary, rhyming dictionary, Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature
Other Reference Materials
Click on the reference that would contain the information below.
A map of South America
Sample Question
A gazetteer is an alphabetical list of the names of places. Try again.
An atlas is a book of maps.
A gazetteer is an alphabetical list of the names of places. An atlas is a book of maps.
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Click on the reference that would contain the information below.
Weather forecasts for the rest of the year
Sample Question
An almanac, an annual book of facts and predictions, gives weather forecasts for the year.
A thesaurus gives the synonyms and antonyms for words. Try again.
An almanac is a book of "facts and predictions." A thesaurus gives the synonyms and antonyms for words.
Other Reference Materials
Click on the reference that would contain the information below.
Some funny material for a speech
Sample Question
A rhyming dictionary lists groups of words that rhyme with each other. Try again.
An encyclopedia of humor is a collection of amusing remarks and observations.
An encyclopedia of humor is a collection of funny remarks. A rhyming dictionary lists groups of rhyming words.
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Click on the reference that would contain the information below.
A word that means the opposite of "entertaining"
Sample Question
A book of famous quotations contains well-known statements and the names of the people who made them. Try again.
A thesaurus gives the synonyms and antonyms for words.
A book of famous quotations contains well-known statements. A thesaurus gives the synonyms and antonyms for words.
Other Reference Materials
Click on the reference that would contain the information below.
The dates that King Henry VII ruled
Sample Question
The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature lists magazine articles by the subjects that they cover. Try again.
A Dictionary of English History gives information about important people in England's history.
A Dictionary of English History provides information about events in England's history. The Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature lists all the magazine articles published each year.
Other Reference Materials
The rest of this lesson contains ten questions about the use of various references.

Some of these questions will be a little different from the ones in the sample questions.

Remember that you can use the hints to help you in answering the questions.
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What a "sprained" ankle is
Question 1 of 10
A Spanish-English dictionary translates words from Spanish to English. Try again.
A biographical dictionary lists famous people and summarizes important facts about their lives. Try again.
A rhyming dictionary lists groups of words that rhyme with each other. Try again.
A medical dictionary defines words that are used by doctors, nurses, and others in the medical field.
Choose the reference that defines what the medical profession calls a "sprain."
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Click on the correct answer.
When would a rhyming dictionary be useful?
Question 2 of 10
A rhyming dictionary lists groups of words that rhyme. Many poems use words that rhyme.
A Spanish dictionary would be useful when someone is studying Spanish. Try again.
An atlas (a book of maps) would be useful when someone is planning a trip. Try again.
A Dictionary of English History would be useful when someone is studying this subject. Try again.
Poems often contain words that rhyme.
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Click on the reference that would contain the information below.
Magazine articles written in 1988 about skateboards
Question 3 of 10
A library catalog gives information about the books in a library. Try again.
"TV Guide" is a magazine that lists television programs for the week. Try again.
"Reader's Digest" is a magazine with shortened articles from other publications. Try again.
The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature lists magazine articles by topic for each year.
Choose the reference that lists magazine articles.
Other Reference Materials
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What would the library catalog be a good resource for finding?
Question 4 of 10
The library catalog would list any books that the library has on a certain topic.
The daily newspaper might be a good place to find yesterdays sports results. Try again.
The encyclopedia might be a good place to find a short article on the state of Hawaii. Try again.
The telephone book might be a good place to find emergency telephone numbers. Try again.
Library catalogs list all of the books in the library.
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The location of the country Mauritania
Question 5 of 10
A guide to birds in Africa would show how to identify various African birds. Try again.
An atlas (a book of maps) can be used to locate a country.
A zip code directory lists zip codes for different places in the United States. Try again.
A thesaurus gives the synonyms and antonyms of words. Try again.
Choose the reference that is made up of maps.
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Which of the following would not be found in an almanac?
Question 6 of 10
The populations of countries around the world are included in most almanacs. Try again.
A weather forecast for the year is included in most almanacs. Try again.
Bus schedules are not included in almanacs. Local bus companies issue schedules.
The phases of the moon (such as the full moon) are included in most almanacs. Try again.
An almanac is a yearly book of facts and predictions.
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What part of speech is the word "inward"?
Question 7 of 10
An atlas is a book of maps. Try again.
The library catalog gives information about the books in a library. Try again.
A book's index lists the topics that it covers. Try again.
Dictionaries list parts of speech for each word.
Choose the reference that defines words.
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What might a biographical dictionary include?
Question 8 of 10
A rhyming dictionary lists words that rhyme. Try again.
A dictionary of synonyms and antonyms lists words with opposite meanings (antonyms). Try again.
A biographical dictionary contains short life histories of famous people.
A standard dictionary gives the meanings of words. Try again.
A biography is the story of someone's life, written by another person.
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"Rock Music." Ellen Fry, ill. Teen Scene 36: 28-33, Apr' 83
Question 9 of 10
The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature lists the magazine articles that are published each year.
An almanac is a yearly book of facts and predictions. Try again.
An encyclopedia would not contain an entry showing where to find a magazine article. Try again.
A rhyming dictionary contains words that rhyme. Try again.
Choose the reference that lists magazine articles.
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Click on the correct answer.
Where in a library would you begin looking for information about John F. Kennedy?
Question 10 of 10
The check-out desk is where the books that you have decided to borrow are checked out. Try again.
The library catalog would list the books on a specific topic.
The ficton section contains books about imaginary characters. Try again.
A Dictionary of English History has information about English leaders, not American Presidents. Try again.
Choose the library reference that contains information on all of the books in the library.
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