Nuances in word meaning

After running the marathon, she wasn't just tired; she was completely _____. Which word shows the highest level of intensity?

• sleepy

• exhausted

• drowsy

• relaxed

Answer explanation

'Exhausted' implies an extreme level of tiredness, making it the most intense word. 'Sleepy' and 'drowsy' are milder, while 'relaxed' is a different feeling altogether.

Sort these words by their typical connotation: Positive or Negative.

Groups:

(a) Positive

,

(b) Negative

• nosy

• thrifty

• cheap

• curious

• arrogant

• confident

Answer explanation

Words are sorted based on the feelings they evoke. 'Confident', 'thrifty', and 'curious' have positive associations, while 'arrogant', 'cheap', and 'nosy' have negative ones, despite having similar literal meanings.

In a formal email to a teacher, which word is the most appropriate substitute for 'get' in the sentence, 'I need to get more information'?

• grab

• obtain

• snag

• take

Answer explanation

'Obtain' is a formal word for 'get'. 'Grab', 'snag', and 'take' are more informal or have different nuances that are not appropriate for a formal email to a teacher.

Match each word to its subtle distinction in meaning.

• Not commonly occurring; different from the norm.

• unusual

• One of a kind; unlike anything else.

• unique

• Very strange or odd, often in a striking way.

• bizarre

Answer explanation

These words all relate to being different, but with varying nuances. 'Unique' means one of a kind, 'unusual' means uncommon, and 'bizarre' implies a level of strangeness.

Read the sentence and select the pair of words that best completes it. Trying not to be obvious, he took a quick _____ at the clock on the wall, but the teacher caught him and gave him a long, disapproving _____.

• stare, glance

• glance, stare

• peek, look

• look, peek

Answer explanation

A 'glance' is a brief, quick look, which fits the context of trying not to be obvious. A 'stare' is a long, intense, and often fixed look, which fits the description of the teacher's long, disapproving action.

My little brother was annoyed, but my dad was absolutely _____ when the new TV broke. Which word shows a much stronger emotion than 'annoyed'?

• bothered

• displeased

• furious

• irritated

Answer explanation

'Furious' indicates extreme anger, making it the most intense option. 'Irritated', 'bothered', and 'displeased' all represent milder forms of annoyance.

Sort these words for 'walk' by their connotation or manner: Confident/Showy, Sad/Tired, or Quiet/Sneaky.

Groups:

(a) Confident/Showy

,

(b) Sad/Tired

,

(c) Quiet/Sneaky

• prowl

• creep

• swagger

• trudge

• stride

• plod

Answer explanation

Each word describes walking but with a different nuance. 'Stride' and 'swagger' imply confidence; 'trudge' and 'plod' suggest weariness; 'creep' and 'prowl' suggest stealth.

He was _____ to ask for help, not because he was unwilling, but because he wasn't sure how to phrase the question. Which word best fits this nuance?

• reluctant

• hesitant

• defiant

• opposed

Answer explanation

'Hesitant' implies pausing due to uncertainty, which fits the context. 'Reluctant' suggests being unwilling, while 'defiant' and 'opposed' are much stronger and imply active resistance.

Match the informal word to its more formal counterpart.

• demonstrate

• tell

• require

• help

• inform

• show

• assist

• need

Answer explanation

Each pair consists of a common, informal word and a more formal synonym often used in academic or professional writing. 'Inform' is more formal than 'tell', 'require' than 'need', etc.

The old house on the corner is described as 'eerie'. What feeling does this word suggest that 'old' does not?

• A feeling of historical importance.

• A sense of comfort and warmth.

• A strange and frightening feeling.

• A feeling of being brand new.

Answer explanation

'Eerie' carries a negative, spooky connotation that 'old' does not. It specifically adds a nuance of strangeness and fear to the description.