Positive, negative and neutral connotations

Which word has the most positive connotation to describe someone who doesn't give up easily?

• Stubborn

• Determined

• Pig-headed

• Inflexible

Answer explanation

While all words relate to not giving up, 'determined' has a positive connotation, suggesting admirable persistence. 'Stubborn,' 'pig-headed,' and 'inflexible' all have negative connotations, implying unreasonable refusal to change.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.L.7.5C

Sort these words describing ways of looking at something into three categories: Positive, Negative, or Neutral.

Groups:

(a) Positive

,

(b) Negative

,

(c) Neutral

• Observed

• Scrutinized

• Gawked

• Glanced

• Stared

• Admired

Answer explanation

Words are sorted by the feeling they evoke. 'Admired' is positive. 'Gawked,' 'stared,' and 'scrutinized' imply rudeness or intense judgment, making them negative. 'Glanced' and 'observed' are neutral actions without strong emotional weight.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5B

Which sentence uses a word with a negative connotation?

• The aroma of baking bread filled the kitchen.

• The scent of roses drifted from the garden.

• A stench came from the overflowing garbage can.

• The fragrance of her perfume was pleasant.

Answer explanation

'Stench' has a strong negative connotation, meaning a very bad smell. 'Aroma,' 'scent,' and 'fragrance' are used for pleasant smells and have positive or neutral connotations.

Match each word to its general connotation.

• Positive (careful with money)

• Frugal

• Negative (unpleasantly stingy)

• Peculiar

• Negative (strange, odd)

• Unique

• Positive (special, one-of-a-kind)

• Miserly

Answer explanation

Each word is matched to its associated feeling. 'Unique' and 'frugal' are generally seen as positive traits, while their counterparts 'peculiar' and 'miserly' are viewed negatively.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.L.7.5C

Choose the word that gives the sentence the most positive connotation. My friend is very _________ and loves to talk to new people.

• Chatty

• Talkative

• Outgoing

• Loud

Answer explanation

'Outgoing' has the most positive connotation, suggesting friendliness and sociability. 'Chatty' and 'talkative' can be neutral or slightly negative, while 'loud' is clearly negative in this context.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of these words for a place to live has a neutral connotation?

• Shack

• Residence

• Mansion

• Dump

Answer explanation

'Residence' is a formal and neutral term for a place where someone lives. 'Shack' and 'dump' have strong negative connotations, while 'mansion' has a strong positive connotation of wealth and luxury.

Sort these words used to describe a person's intelligence into two categories: Positive or Negative.

Groups:

(a) Positive

,

(b) Negative

• Scheming

• Clever

• Crafty

• Brilliant

• Intelligent

• Cunning

Answer explanation

Words are sorted based on their implied meaning. 'Intelligent,' 'brilliant,' and 'clever' are positive. 'Crafty,' 'cunning,' and 'scheming' are negative because they imply using intelligence for deceit or trickery.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Read the sentence: The politician's speech was assertive. How would the meaning change if 'assertive' was replaced with 'aggressive'?

• The connotation would become more positive.

• The connotation would become more negative.

• The connotation would become more neutral.

• The connotation would not change.

Answer explanation

'Assertive' has a neutral-to-positive connotation, suggesting confidence. 'Aggressive' has a negative connotation, suggesting hostility and a readiness to attack or confront.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

Match each word to the connotation it carries.

• Neutral Connotation

• Inexpensive

• Positive Connotation

• Cheap

• Negative Connotation

• Economical

Answer explanation

'Inexpensive' is a neutral statement of low cost. 'Cheap' often implies poor quality, giving it a negative connotation. 'Economical' suggests smart spending, which is a positive connotation.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Identify the word in the sentence that has a negative connotation. 'Although the car was old, its vintage style was appealing, but the rickety frame made it unsafe.'

• old

• vintage

• appealing

• rickety

Answer explanation

'Rickety' means poorly made and likely to collapse, giving it a strong negative connotation of being unsafe and unreliable. 'Vintage' has a positive connotation, while 'old' is neutral and 'appealing' is positive.