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Connotation and Denotation

Total questions: 24

Worksheet time: 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the meaning of connotation?

a)

Emotional meaning of a word

b)

An emotional outburst

c)

Official meaning of a word

d)

Refers to emotional atmosphere produced by an author’s use of language

2.

What is the meaning of denotation?

a)

It represents something else (emble, token, etc.)

b)

The emotion of a word

c)

The art of lasagna baking

d)

The official meaning of a word

3.

Is this an example of a positive connotation?

“She has a very energetic mindset!”

a)

Yes!

b)

No!

c)

Maybe!

4.

Is this an example of denotation?

Chicken - a domestic fowl kept for its eggs or meat, especially a young one.

a)

Yes.

b)

Not really...

c)

Maybeeee!

5.

I recognized the familiar smell of my roommate's cooking. If you change the word smell to stench, the word now has a ____________ connotation.

a)

positive

b)

negative

6.
Which connotation is MORE positive?
________ people rode on the roller coaster.
a)
Brave
b)
Foolhardy
7.

The connotation of a word can be.... (Choose all the correct answers)

a)

positive

b)

negative

c)

neutral

d)

true

e)

false

8.
Which of the following has the most positive connotation?
a)
carefree
b)
lazily
c)
hastily
9.
Which of the following has a negative connotation?
a)
A pushy leader
b)
A charismatic leader
10.
Which of the following has a positive connotation?
a)
An aggressive stance
b)
A hostile stance 
11.
Which word has the more positive connotation?
a)
laid-back
b)
lazy 
12.
Which word has the more positive connotation?
a)
Bean-pole
b)
Slender 
13.
Which word has the more positive connotation?
a)
Horse
b)
Steed 
14.

Which phrase has negative connotation?

a)

a box filled with documents

b)

a box crammed with documents

15.

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

a)

a peculiar object

b)

a unique object

c)

a strange object

16.

Which phrase has a more negative connotation?

a)

frown at someone

b)

scowl at someone

17.

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 ______________.

a)

thrifty

b)

stingy

c)

miserly

d)

selfish

18.

Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.


Although the problem was difficult to resolve, Sandra and John were ________________ in searching for an answer. Their teacher was quite proud.

a)

persistent

b)

stubborn

c)

bullheaded

d)

headstrong

19.
Kevin's interest in model cars has turned into a hobby. If you change the word hobby to obsession, the word now has a _____ connotation.
a)
positive
b)
negative
20.
Which is the most positive?
a)
mature
b)
serious
c)
sophisticated
d)
contemplating
21.
What word is more negative?
a)
Confident
b)
Egotistical
c)
Prideful
d)
Secure
22.
What is the best word to use for this sentence to make it negative?
He is very ______.
a)
Truthful
b)
Honest
c)
Blunt
23.
What is connotation?
a)
Connotation implies or suggests a meaning of a word.
b)
Dictionary meaning of a word.
c)
I don't know!
d)
Unknown meaning
24.

smart

a)

positive meaning (+)

b)

negative meaning (-)

c)

neutral meaning (=)