wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Connotation vs. Denotation

Total questions: 30

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Connotation is:

a)

everyday language that may include slang or idioms

b)

words that have opposite meanings

c)

the idea or feeling implied by a word

d)

the literal meaning of a word

2.

Choose the word with the more negative connotation:

A woman ran her fingers across the ____________________ fabric.

a)

overpriced

b)

expensive

3.

Select the word with the more positive connotation.

a)

plain

b)

natural

4.

Select the word with the more positive connotation.

a)

snob

b)

cultured

5.

The dictionary meaning of a word.

a)

Connotation

b)

Denotation

c)

Interpretation

d)

Definition

6.

Helen was guarded about her private life. What is the meaning of the underlined word?

a)

Dangerous

b)

Uniterested

c)

Carefree

d)

Cautious

7.

The student committed a grave offense. The meaning of the underlined word is...?

a)

Curious

b)

Boring

c)

Unusual

d)

Serious

8.

Benjamin is a lanky kid. The underlined word means...?

a)

Huge and tall

b)

Tall and thin

c)

Muscular and tall

d)

Thin and stout

9.

The mayor dozed off while waiting for his speech. It means that he probably...?

a)

is hungry

b)

fell asleep

c)

fell down

d)

is angry

10.

John is sick of receiving anonymous emails lately. It means that...?

a)

He is ill.

b)

He is bored.

c)

He is fed up.

d)

He is full.

11.

Jackie screamed and pulled her hand away from the scalding water. It means that...?

a)

It is icily cold.

b)

It is painfully hot.

c)

It is amazingly cold.

d)

It is pretty warm.

12.

Which word has the more positive connotation?

a)

slender

b)

beanpole

13.

NOT based on logic or reasoning

a)

rationalize

b)

annotate

c)

dispute

d)

irrational

14.

Which word has the more positive connotation?

a)

plain

b)

dull

15.

Which word has the more negative connotation?

a)

wealthy

b)

uppity

16.

Which word has the more positive connotation?

a)

inexpensive

b)

cheap

17.

Which word has the more negative connotation?

a)

nosy

b)

curious

18.

Choose the sentence that uses the negative connotation of the underlined word.

a)

We want you to visit our tranquil island.

b)

When you arrive, hotel staffers in exotic costumes will greet you.

c)

Visit our marketplaces to spend your money on our famous collectibles.

d)

Hotel staffers will bring you smelly foods that are native to the region.

19.

Which phrase has a positive connotation?

a)

a scrawny dancer

b)

a slender dancer

20.

Choose the word with the most positive connotation to finish the sentence: Most teachers think that Blanche is a very _________ young woman.

a)

determined

b)

stubborn

c)

obstinate

d)

tenacious

21.

Choose the word with the most positive connotation to finish the sentence: As the boys played video games, their parents _______ them.

a)

glared at

b)

studied

c)

watched

d)

scrutinized

22.

Choose the word with the most positive connotation to finish the sentence: My history teacher gives very _________ assignments.

a)

taxing

b)

challenging

c)

demanding

d)

perplexing

23.

Choose the word with the most positive connotation to finish the sentence: After graduating from college, my best friend has very __________ plans for his future.

a)

ambitious

b)

pretentions

c)

grandious

d)

ruthless

24.

Choose the word with the most neutral connotation to finish the sentence: The teacher's job is not as objective as it may seem at first; in fact, it is quite __________ .

a)

subjective

b)

slanted

c)

unfair

d)

biased

25.

Choose the word with the most neutral connotation to finish the sentence: Given the recent _______ college standards, it seems as though anyone can get an advanced degree.

a)

demise of

b)

decline in

c)

plunge in

d)

plummeting

26.

Choose the word with the appropriate denotation to complete the following sentence: Some of the books we read are full of ________ claims, so they are difficult to absorb in just one reading.

a)

complex

b)

complicated

c)

compliant

d)

complicit

27.

Choose the word with the appropriate denotation to complete the following sentence: ________ the course work is rigorous, but the teacher tries to make it accessible.

a)

For all intensive purposes

b)

For all intense purpose

c)

For all intents and purposes

d)

For all interested purposes.

28.

Choose the word with the appropriate denotation to complete the following sentence: Our professor's false British accent is a humorous ________.

a)

infect

b)

affect

c)

effect

d)

prefect

29.

In 'Harry Potter', Professor Snape's first name, Severus, means serious, strict, and severe. The character of Professor Snape is also serious and strict. This is an example of which of the following?

a)

Denotation and connotation opposing each other

b)

Denotation and connotation working together

c)

Denotation

d)

Connotation

30.

Which of the following is NOT a connotation associated with the word grave?

a)

Death

b)

Sadness

c)

Finality

d)

Warmth