Reading Station 2 -- Connotation and Figurative Language

A word’s denotation is its dictionary definition. But a word can also evoke certain thoughts and feelings. The thoughts and feelings associated with a certain word are called the connotation of the word. Words with the same denotation can have different connotations. Connotations can be positive, negative or neutral.
Which of the following has a positive connotation?

• A strong reek 
• A strong aroma 

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of the following has a negative connotation?

• A bold plan
• A reckless plan

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.L.9-10.5B

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of the following has a positive connotation?

• Spoke with arrogance 
• Spoke with confidence 

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Which of the following has a positive connotation? 

• Squandered his time 
• Invested his time 

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

I recognized the familiar smell of my roommate's cooking. If you change the word smell to stench, the word now has a ____________ connotation.

• positive
• negative

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Choose the word that has a positive connotation to complete the sentence.
"Well," said Curtis with an embarrassed smile, "I'm looking for _________ car."

• an inexpensive
• a cheaper
• a more economical

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.L.9-10.5B

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

The patient sounded like he was hacking up a lung. 
What is the onomatopoeia?

• lung
• hacking
• patient

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

The dog yipped like a parrot, snored like a human, and whined like a middle schooler. What words are onomatopoeia?

• parrot, snored, schooler

• yipped, snored, middle

• dog, whined, snored

• yipped, whined, snored

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

The stars were cold rocks glaring down upon our shoulders. The language in this sentence creates a sense of ___

• urgency

• ridiculousness

• determination

• blame

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The volcano erupted with a fiery bang sending ash and lava into the sky. Which shows the connotative meaning of erupted?

• to eject lava

• to become active

• to make a sound

• to explode

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4