The opposite of large/tall is small/low.

[learning54]

Hi teachers,
I'm quite puzzled with these adjectives.
Could you correct or confirm the assumptions?

1. These adjectives can describe the size of a building:
The opposite of large/tall is small/low.

2. These adjectives can describe the size of a tree:
The opposite of large/tall is small/short.

3. These adjectives can describe the size of a person:
The opposite of tall is short.

4. These adjectives can describe the size of a plane:
The opposite of large/big is small.

Thanks.

 

[5jj]

I wouldn't speak of a short tree. I's probably use young. The others are OK.

 

[learning54]

I wouldn't speak of a short tree. I's probably use young. The others are OK.

Hi 5jj,
I appreciate your help. Then, you would only you use "small" for a tree; right?

BTW, nice to have you back.

 

[jutfrank]

I have a major problem with the exercise itself. Is the idea that you have to choose the one correct answer? Have you written this exercise yourself or have you found it somewhere?

Remember that the appropriacy of a word comes from what you mean. For example, small and short have different meanings.

 

[learning54]

Yes, I have written the exercise myself.
That's right, "The appropriacy of a word comes from what you mean".
Speaking of that, something can be "short" in length (hair, rope) and somebody can be "short" in height.
What about "small", jutfrank?

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, I have written wrote the exercise myself.
That's right, "The appropriacy of a word comes from what you mean".
Speaking of that, something can be "short" in length (hair, rope) and somebody can be "short" in height.
What about "small", jutfrank?

I have no problem with a "short tree".

 

[jutfrank]

I think it's a very poor exercise, if you don't mind my saying.

If you tell us what exactly it is you're trying to teach, and to whom, I'll try to be a bit more constructive.

In the meantime, here's a tip: try to get the difference between the word pairs large/small and big/little nailed down first. These are not the same.

 

[learning54]

I have no problem with a "short tree".

Then for trees, there are different opinions about the same adjective.
Thanks for the correction.

 

[learning54]

I think it's a very poor exercise, if you don't mind my saying.

To me it is not. Well, as said, it's for the objects and the height of people that I mention in my OP.
Could you tell me another way to teach the adjectives without mentioning for what they are used? Some adjectives are difficult to be taught. So, drawings are good to teach them. That's what I use to teach the adjectives along with the sentence, "The opposite of ... is ...".

If you tell us what exactly it is you're trying to teach, and to whom, I'll try to be a bit more constructive.

I'm trying to teach exactly what I mentioned in my OP.

 

[Tarheel]

I wouldn't say a building is low. In fact, I wouldn't say a building is short except by comparison with one that is tall.

 

[Tarheel]

The words "tall" and "short" have to do with height, not size.

 

[Tarheel]

Perhaps:

It's a big plane. It's very big. In fact, you can put a truck inside.

 

[Tdol]

The opposite of a large person could be short or slim. Or possibly not very important. These adjectives can be used in more subtle ways than the choices allowed. A big building could be small but designed by an important architect or using new green technology and making waves in building design.

 

[jutfrank]

Then for trees, there are different opinions about the same adjective.

There are no opinions about this. It's really about meaning. If you mean to describe a tree as short, then short is the right word. If you mean it's young, then use young. If you mean it's little, use little. If you mean it's low, use low.

Think about context here. Situational context gives a speaker a certain perspective. Imagine you're in the air flying a plane, which you're about to crash land. From this point of view, you're might well be looking out for low buildings and low trees.

 

[Tarheel]

I wouldn't want to crash into any building--short or tall.
I wouldn't want to crash into any building at all.

 

[learning54]

I appreciate all the replies. They have given me a better understanding!