Exploring Connotation and Denotation

Which of the following sentences best illustrates the difference between connotation and denotation?

• The word "snake" denotes a reptile, but connotes deceit or danger.

• The word "apple" denotes a fruit, and connotes health.

• The word "car" denotes a vehicle, and connotes speed.

• The word "book" denotes a collection of pages, and connotes knowledge.

Analyze the impact of word choice in the following sentence: "The politician was a cunning fox."

• The word "cunning" denotes intelligence.

• The word "fox" connotes cleverness and slyness.

• The word "politician" denotes a person involved in politics.

• The word "was" denotes a state of being.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Evaluate the context for meaning in the sentence: "The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air."

• "Aroma" denotes a smell, but connotes a pleasant scent.

• "Freshly" denotes something new.

• "Bread" denotes a type of food.

• "Air" denotes the atmosphere.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Compare the connotations of the words "childlike" and "childish."

• Both words denote being like a child, but "childlike" connotes innocence while "childish" connotes immaturity.

• Both words denote being like a child, and both connotes immaturity.

• "Childlike" denotes being like a child, and "childish" denotes being immature.

• "Childlike" connotes immaturity, while "childish" connotes innocence.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.L.11-12.5B

Create a sentence with a positive connotation using the word "home."

• The home was just a building with four walls.

• The home was a warm and welcoming sanctuary.

• The home was a place to sleep.

• The home was a structure made of bricks.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.L.11-12.5B

Interpret the figurative language in the sentence: "Time is a thief."

• Time is literally a person who steals.

• Time is compared to a thief to suggest it takes away moments.

• Time is a concept that can be stolen.

• Time is a thief because it is valuable.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Identify the connotation of the word "frugal" in the sentence: "She was frugal with her spending."

• Frugal denotes being cheap.

• Frugal connotes being wise and economical.

• Frugal denotes being wealthy.

• Frugal connotes being stingy.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Analyze the word choice impact in the sentence: "The abandoned house was eerie."

• "Abandoned" denotes empty, but connotes neglect.

• "House" denotes a building.

• "Eerie" denotes strange, but connotes fear.

• "Was" denotes a state of being.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Evaluate the context for meaning in the sentence: "The garden was a riot of colors."

• "Riot" denotes chaos, but connotes vibrancy.

• "Garden" denotes a place with plants.

• "Colors" denotes different hues.

• "Was" denotes a state of being.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Compare the connotations of the words "slim" and "skinny."

• Both words denote being thin, but "slim" connotes attractiveness while "skinny" connotes unhealthiness.

• Both words denote being thin, and both connotes attractiveness.

• "Slim" denotes being thin, and "skinny" denotes being underweight.

• "Slim" connotes unhealthiness, while "skinny" connotes attractiveness.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.L.11-12.5B

CCSS.L.9-10.5B