Word Nuances

Read the excerpt and answer the question.

If the word "melancholy" were replaced with "despairing," the meaning of the phrase would be...

The sky began to thicken, and the lowing of the cattle to have a melancholy cadence; the nightingale forgot her song, and fled to her nest; and the sea roared and lashed the rocks. During the calm which portended an approaching storm, every creature was running for shelter.—We must, if possible, said Mrs. Mason, reach yon cottage on the cliff, for we shall soon have a violent thunder-storm. They quickened their pace, but the hurricane overtook them. The hail-stones fell, the clouds seemed to open and disclose the lightning, while loud peals of thunder shook the ground; the wind also in violent gusts rushed among the trees, tore off the slender branches and loosened the roots.

• less focused on loneliness

• less sad

• the same except less extreme

• the same except more extreme

Read the sentence:

Jasper became frustrated when he wasn’t selected for the football team the first time he tried out.

How would the meaning of the sentence be different if the word frustrated were replaced with the word discouraged?

• The reader would likely assume that Jasper became injured while trying out.

• The reader would likely assume that Jasper will not try out for the team again.

  
  

• The reader would likely assume that Jasper does not want to play football.

• The reader would likely assume that Jasper is not a good team player.

When describing a person, how is meaning of the word cheap different from the meaning of the word frugal?

• The word cheap suggests that the person has a negative trait.

• The word cheap suggests that the person has a praiseworthy trait.

• The word cheap implies that a person is slightly frugal.

• The word cheap means the opposite of frugal.

Synonyms are words that mean the same. The subtle differences in the meaning is called

• preposition

• nuance

• antonym

• denotation

Growing quickly, flourishing

• Prolific

• Burgeon

• Assert

• Pensive

Which word best captures the nuance of 'happy' when describing a quiet, contented joy?

• Ecstatic

• Jubilant

• Serene

• Elated

In the sentence, 'The politician's speech was full of promises, but lacked substance,' which word could replace 'substance' to change the nuance to imply more depth?

• Content

• Material

• Essence

• Detail

What is the nuance difference between 'childish' and 'childlike'?

• Both imply immaturity

• Childish is negative, childlike is positive

• Both imply innocence

• Childish is positive, childlike is negative

Which word would change the nuance of 'The room was dark' to imply a more comforting atmosphere?

• Gloomy

• Dim

• Shadowy

• Murky

In literature, what is the nuance of the word 'ephemeral' compared to 'temporary'?

• Ephemeral suggests beauty in its shortness

• Temporary suggests beauty in its shortness

• Ephemeral suggests permanence

• Temporary suggests permanence