Positive, negative and neutral connotations

Which word has the most positive connotation to describe someone who is careful with money?

• Cheap

• Stingy

• Frugal

• Miserly

Answer explanation

While all words relate to saving money, 'frugal' has a positive connotation, suggesting wisdom and resourcefulness. 'Cheap,' 'stingy,' and 'miserly' all have negative connotations, implying a person is unwilling to spend money in a negative way.

Sort these words used to describe a person's confidence into categories: Positive, Negative, or Neutral.

Groups:

(a) Positive

,

(b) Negative

,

(c) Neutral

• Arrogant

• Cocky

• Confident

• Assertive

• Self-assured

• Smug

Answer explanation

Words are sorted based on the feelings they evoke. 'Confident' and 'self-assured' are positive. 'Arrogant,' 'cocky,' and 'smug' are negative, implying excessive pride. 'Assertive' is neutral, simply describing someone who states their views clearly.

Choose the word that gives the sentence the most negative connotation. The abandoned house on the corner looks ____.

• Old

• Decrepit

• Vintage

• Timeless

Answer explanation

'Decrepit' has the most negative connotation, suggesting the house is not just old but also ruined and falling apart. 'Old' is neutral, while 'vintage' and 'timeless' have positive connotations.

Match each word pair, which has a similar literal meaning (denotation), to the relationship between their connotations.

• Neutral vs. Negative

• Slender vs. Thin

• Positive vs. Negative

• Observe vs. Spy

• Positive vs. Neutral

• Confident vs. Arrogant

Answer explanation

Each pair has a similar denotation but different connotations. 'Confident' is positive while 'arrogant' is negative. 'Observe' is neutral while 'spy' is negative. 'Slender' is a positive way to describe someone's build, while 'thin' is more neutral.

Which sentence creates the most positive mood based on word choice?

• The boy walked into the room.

• The boy trudged into the room.

• The boy stomped into the room.

• The boy skipped into the room.

Answer explanation

The verb 'skipped' has a strong positive connotation of joy and lightheartedness, creating a positive mood. 'Walked' is neutral, while 'trudged' and 'stomped' have negative connotations of weariness or anger.

Sort these words for a 'smell' into the correct connotation categories: Positive, Negative, or Neutral.

Groups:

(a) Positive

,

(b) Negative

,

(c) Neutral

• Reek

• Aroma

• Scent

• Stench

Answer explanation

'Aroma' suggests a pleasant smell, like baking bread. 'Stench' and 'reek' suggest a very bad smell. 'Scent' is a neutral term that can be either good or bad depending on context.

In the sentence, 'The crowd of fans cheered, but the angry mob protested,' which word has the strongest negative connotation?

• Crowd

• Fans

• Mob

• Protested

Answer explanation

'Mob' has a strong negative connotation, suggesting a disorderly, violent, or lawless group of people. 'Crowd' and 'fans' are more neutral or positive, and 'protested' is a neutral action.

Which word would give this sentence a neutral tone? The journalist wrote a(n) ____ report on the city council meeting.

• Biased

• Factual

• Scathing

• Glowing

Answer explanation

'Factual' is the most neutral choice, implying the report is based on evidence without emotional language. 'Biased' and 'scathing' are negative, while 'glowing' is positive.

Which of these words has a positive connotation?

• Stubborn

• Determined

• Pigheaded

• Obstinate

Answer explanation

'Determined' has a positive connotation, suggesting perseverance and a strong will to succeed. 'Stubborn,' 'pigheaded,' and 'obstinate' all have negative connotations, implying unreasonable inflexibility.

Sort these words related to being thin into the correct connotation categories: Positive, Negative, or Neutral.

Groups:

(a) Positive

,

(b) Negative

,

(c) Neutral

• Thin

• Scrawny

• Slim

• Lean

• Gaunt

Answer explanation

'Slim' and 'lean' are positive, suggesting health and attractiveness. 'Scrawny' and 'gaunt' are negative, implying unhealthiness. 'Thin' is a neutral, factual description.