WorksheetsDenotation and Connotation
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 45mins
Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.
My friend is very careful about spending money. I admire that, so I call him ______________.
thrifty
stingy
miserly
selfish
Read the sentences and answer the question. Winning by seven strokes, Tiger Woods won the tournament. Winning by seven strokes, Tiger Woods dominated the tournament. How does the connotation of the word dominated in the second sentence convey the author’s purpose?
It shows that he won by a small margin.
It emphasizes that he easily won.
It implies that he played with arrogance and pride.
It implies that he cheated in order to win.
Read the sentences and answer the question. I gave the most difficult task to Yandy because she is the most stubborn person I know. I gave the most difficult task to Yandy because she is the most persistent person I know. How does the connotation of the word persistent in the second sentence convey the author’s purpose?
It implies a positive characteristic.
It implies an increasingly negative characteristic.
It implies a careless characteristic.
It implies a playfully irresponsible characteristic.
Consider the following sentences. I hear my brother talking on the phone with his girlfriend. I hear my brother chatting on the phone with his girlfriend. How does the connotation of the word chatting in the second sentence convey the author’s purpose?
It implies the conversation is not serious.
It implies that the conversation is funny.
It implies anger or resentment in the conversations.
It implies the conversation is very serious.
Read the sentences. What is the difference between the words surprised and astounded?
A. Julie was surprised to find out that her grandma was coming for a visit.
B. Julie was astounded to find out that her grandma was coming for a visit.
"Surprised" is an antonym of "astounded".
"Astounded" is more intense than "surprised" and implies that Julie was even more shocked.
"Surprised" is more intense than "astounded" and implies that Julie was even more shocked.
"Surprised" and "astounded" have different denotations.
Read the sentences. What is the difference between the words mortified and embarrassed?
A. Sam was mortified when he was called to come up onstage during the assembly.
B. Sam was embarrassed when he was called to come up onstage during the assembly.
"Mortified" is an antonym of "embarrassed".
"Embarrassed is more intense and has more negative connotation than "mortified".
"Mortified" is more intense and has more negative connotation than "embarrassed".
"Mortified" and "embarrassed" have different denotations.
Read the sentence. The answer choices have similar denotations. Which answer choice has the most negative connotation?
On moving day they transported all their belongings to their new home.
sent
lugged
moved
carried
Read the sentence. The answer choices have similar denotations. Which answer choice has the most negative connotation?
Cal really likes the unusual architecture of the house.
odd
rare
unique
uncommon
Read the sentence. The answer choices have similar denotations. Which answer choice has the most positive connotation?
Cal's wife wanted to move, and she was stubborn about it.
pushy
defiant
obstinate
determined
Read the sentence. The answer choices have similar denotations. Which answer choice has the most positive connotation?
Cal and his wife had a debate about moving to a new home.
quarrel
dispute
discussion
disagreement
Read this sentence:
As Marsha walked into the bakery, the smell of the freshly baked cookies made her stomach growl.
If the word smell were changed to aroma, how would the new connotation change the meaning of the sentence?
It would make the statement weaker.
It would make the statement stronger.
It would mean the opposite of "smell."
It would not change the statement at all.
Read this sentence:
Candace received the terrible news: Among Us was being banned in the United States. She was outraged and packed her bags, destined for Canada.
If the word outraged were changed to angry, how would the new connotation change the meaning of the sentence?
It would make the statement weaker.
It would make the statement stronger.
It would mean the opposite of "outraged."
It would not change the statement at all.
Sarah sat on the deck of the beach house and enjoyed the spectacular sunset.
Decide which dictionary definition for the word "mean" is being used here:
The weather report doesn't look good! This means we will probably have to cancel our plans to go hiking this weekend.
To be a sign or an indication
Unkind or cruel
occupying the middle position
To intend to say or express
Choose the dictionary definition for "stem" used in this sentence:
This extra homework stems from the poor grades on the last quiz.
To stop the flow of
The stalk that supports a flower, leaf, or fruit
The forward part of a boat
To arise or originate; come from
