Connotation and Denotation Quiz

Which statement best defines denotation?

• The emotional meaning of a word

• The dictionary meaning of a word

• The author’s opinion of a word

• The sound of a word

Answer explanation

Denotation refers to the literal, dictionary meaning of a word, distinguishing it from connotation, which involves the emotional or cultural associations. Therefore, the correct choice is 'The dictionary meaning of a word'.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Which statement best defines connotation?

• The emotional or cultural meaning of a word

• The dictionary definition

• The number of syllables

• The tense of a verb

Answer explanation

Connotation refers to the emotional or cultural meaning associated with a word, beyond its literal dictionary definition. This makes the first choice the best definition of connotation.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Which of the following words has a positive connotation?

• Childish

• Curious

• Nosy

• Immature

Answer explanation

The word 'curious' has a positive connotation, suggesting a desire to learn and explore. In contrast, 'childish', 'nosy', and 'immature' carry negative implications, often associated with undesirable traits.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Which of the following words has a negative connotation?

• Thrifty

• Cheap

• Affordable

• Economical

Answer explanation

The word 'cheap' has a negative connotation, implying low quality or inferiority. In contrast, 'thrifty', 'affordable', and 'economical' suggest positive attributes related to saving money without compromising value.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

The words home and house share the same —

• Connotation

• Denotation

• Emotion

• Tone

Answer explanation

The words 'home' and 'house' share the same denotation, meaning they both refer to a place where people live. However, their connotations differ, as 'home' often evokes feelings of warmth and comfort, while 'house' is more neutral.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Which word has the same denotation as “crowd” but a more negative connotation?

• Group

• Mob

• Gathering

• Audience

Answer explanation

The word "mob" shares the same basic meaning as "crowd" but carries a more negative connotation, often implying chaos or violence, unlike the neutral terms "group," "gathering," or "audience."

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

What is the denotation of “snake”?

• A long, limbless reptile

• A sneaky or untrustworthy person

• A symbol of evil

• A dangerous man

Answer explanation

The denotation of 'snake' refers to its literal meaning, which is 'a long, limbless reptile.' The other choices represent connotations or metaphorical uses of the term, not its primary definition.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Which sentence uses positive connotation?

• My grandmother is frugal with her money.

• My grandmother is stingy with her money.

• My grandmother is cheap with her money.

• My grandmother is miserly with her money.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'My grandmother is frugal with her money.' uses positive connotation, suggesting carefulness and wisdom in spending. In contrast, 'stingy,' 'cheap,' and 'miserly' have negative connotations, implying a lack of generosity.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Which pair of words share the same denotation but opposite connotations?

• Childish / Childlike

• Cold / Frozen

• Happy / Joyful

• Big / Large

Answer explanation

The words 'childish' and 'childlike' both refer to qualities associated with children, but 'childish' has a negative connotation implying immaturity, while 'childlike' has a positive connotation suggesting innocence and wonder.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

In the sentence “She’s feeling blue,” the word blue has what kind of meaning?

• Denotation

• Connotation

• Slang

• Scientific

Answer explanation

In the sentence "She’s feeling blue," the word "blue" conveys an emotional state rather than its literal color meaning. This emotional implication is an example of connotation, which refers to the associated meanings of a word.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4