In Microsoft Word, the Thesaurus tool is primarily used to find what kind of words for a selected term?

Introduction / Context:
Microsoft Word includes several tools that help users improve the quality of their writing. One of these is the Thesaurus, which is designed to help you choose better or more varied words. Many exam questions test whether you know the difference between tools such as the Thesaurus, spell checker, and translation features. This question asks what the Thesaurus is specifically used for when working with text in Word.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The application is Microsoft Word or a similar word processor.
• The tool under discussion is the Thesaurus.
• Options include translation, synonyms and antonyms, spelling suggestions, and None.
• We assume a standard installation where Review tab commands like Thesaurus and Spelling are available.

Concept / Approach:
A thesaurus is traditionally a reference book that lists words grouped together according to similarity of meaning, showing synonyms and sometimes antonyms. In Microsoft Word, the Thesaurus tool serves the same purpose in electronic form. When you select a word and open the Thesaurus, Word suggests alternative words with similar or opposite meanings. Translation between languages is handled by a separate Translate feature. Spelling suggestions come from the spell checker, not the Thesaurus. Therefore, the Thesaurus is primarily used to find synonyms and antonyms for words in your document.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall what a traditional thesaurus does. It lists words with similar or opposite meanings, helping users vary their vocabulary. Step 2: Map this concept to Microsoft Word. In Word, the Thesaurus tool offers lists of synonyms and sometimes antonyms for the selected word. Step 3: Evaluate option B. Synonyms and antonyms for words directly matches how Word labels and uses the Thesaurus. Step 4: Consider translation. Translation involves converting text from one language to another, which is done by a different feature, not the Thesaurus. Step 5: Consider spelling suggestions. Spelling suggestions are part of the spelling and grammar checker, which underlines misspelled words and suggests corrections. Step 6: Conclude that the Thesaurus is used for synonyms and antonyms.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you open Word and select the Review tab, you will see separate commands for Spelling and Grammar, Thesaurus, and Translate. When you click Thesaurus with a word selected, a pane opens showing synonyms and sometimes antonyms for that word. Help documentation explicitly states that the Thesaurus helps find different words with similar meanings to avoid repetition. The Translate feature opens a different pane and uses online services to change language. The spell checker highlights errors and suggests correct spellings but does not provide alternatives in meaning. This confirms that the Thesaurus is focused on synonyms and antonyms.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Translate a word into another language): Translation is handled by the Translate tool, not by the Thesaurus. Option C (Spelling suggestions for misspelled words): The spelling and grammar checker provides these suggestions, not the Thesaurus. Option D (None of the above): Incorrect because option B clearly and correctly describes the Thesaurus function.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the Thesaurus with the spell checker because both involve looking at a word and offering alternatives. The key difference is that the spell checker focuses on correctness, while the Thesaurus focuses on meaning and style. Another mistake is to assume that any language related feature must involve translation, but Word keeps this separate. To answer correctly, remember that the Thesaurus is a vocabulary improvement tool that offers synonyms and antonyms, not a translation or spelling correction feature.

Final Answer:
In Microsoft Word, the Thesaurus tool is used to find synonyms and antonyms for words so that you can improve and vary your writing.