Connotation Denotation Meaning

Match the following connotations:

• Bold

• Negative: opulent

• Force

• Negative: brazen

• Rich

• Positive: brave

• Valiant

• Positive: friend

• Ally

• Negative: coerce

Select the word in parentheses that best fits the sentence:

Mila's (arrogant/self-confident) attitude impressed the interviewers so much that they gave her the job that day.

• arrogant (def: having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities)

• self-confident (def: trusting in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment)

Select the word in parentheses that best fits the sentence: My mother's (prying/curious) nature causes me to avoid telling her anything personal anymore.

• prying (def: excessively interested in a person's private affairs; too inquisitive.)

• curious (def: eager to know or learn something.)

Select the word in parentheses that best fits the sentence:

My boss's (expectation/promise) is that I will complete the project on time.

• expectation (def: a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.)

• promise (def: a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.)

Select the word in parentheses that best fits the sentence:

Jimmy had built his ambitions on the (expectation/promise) of the American Dream.

• expectation (def: a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.)

• promise (def: a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.)

Select the word in parentheses that best fits the sentence:

The (decorated/ornate) dining room shows off the wealth of the family.

• decorated (def: make (something) look more attractive by adding extra items or images to it.)

• ornate (def: made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns.)

". . . the doorbell rings and a thin young boy begins to tell their father about a Sales Program he’s completing for a scholarship . . . , and he holds up a filthy tattered little booklet . . . ." Which choice identifies the denotation and connotation of filthy?

• denotation: very dirty; connotation: negative

• denotation: well-worn; connotation: neutral

• denotation: rotten; connotation: negative

• denotation: dusty; connotation: neutral

Which statement best explains the denotation and connotation of the words adept and dutiful in these sentences?

Kylia is an adept computer scientist who offers free workshops to help young women improve their skills. Her dutiful son always completes his chores without any complaints.

• The words adept and dutiful have a similar denotative meaning, and both words have a positive connotation.

• Adept means "detailed" and dutiful means "polite." Both words have a neutral connotation.

• Adept means "skillful" and dutiful means "obedient." Both words have a positive connotation.

• The words adept and dutiful have a similar denotative meaning, and both words have a negative connotation.

What does "connotation" mean?

• The charge or feeling associated with the word

• The definition you would find in the dictionary

• The literal, precise definition

What does "denotation" mean?

• The literal, precise definition you would find in a dictionary

• The set of ideas associated with a word's explicit meaning

• The feelings or energy associated with the word