wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Connotative and Denotative Meaning

Total questions: 26

Worksheet time: 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What does denotation mean?

a)

The underlying meaning of a word.

b)

It is the positive meaning of a word.

c)

The dictionary definition of a word. The literal meaning.

d)

It is the negative meaning of a word.

2.

What does connotation mean?

a)

It is always the positive meaning of a word.

b)

How a word feels or sounds to the reader. Could be positive or negative.

c)

The dictionary definition of a word.

d)

It is always the negative meaning of a word.

3.

Decide which word has a negative connotative and which has a positive connotation.

Strong-willed VS. Stubborn

a)

Positive, Negative

b)

Negative, Positive

4.

Decide which word has a negative connotative and which has a positive connotation.

Eager VS. Impatient

a)

Positive, Negative

b)

Negative, Positive

5.

Decide which word has a negative connotative and which has a positive connotation.

Careful VS. Cowardly

a)

Negative, Positive

b)

Positive, Negative

6.

Decide which word has a negative connotative and which has a positive connotation.

Nosy VS. Interested

a)

Negative, Positive

b)

Positive, Negative

7.

I am now becoming an elephant, gaining every week pounds by pounds.

a)

connotative

b)

denotative

8.

The teacher’s kingdom include thirty-seven smart and intelligent pupils and a conducive classroom.

a)

denotative

b)

connotative

9.

Let us intensify and keep the fire burning into our hearts.

a)

denotative

b)

connotative

10.

A fire of unknown cause ate the thirty village houses.

a)

denotative

b)

connotative

11.

Fair weather __________ clear skies and sunny day.

a)

denotes

b)

connotes

12.

Father_____________ someone who is strong and protective of his family.

a)

denotes

b)

connotes

13.

Which word has a more positive connotation?

a)

Brilliant

b)

Pushy

c)

Domineering

d)

Aggressive

14.

6. Referring to someone's house as a "shack" would have a __________ connotation.

a)

positive

b)

negative

15.

Is this an example of a positive connotation?

“She has a very energetic mindset!”

a)

Yes!

b)

No!

c)

Maybe!

16.

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?

a)

It shows that he won by a small margin.

b)

It emphasizes that he easily won.

c)

It implies that he played with arrogance and pride.

d)

It implies that he cheated in order to win.

17.
Which of the following has a negative connotation?
a)
A pushy leader
b)
A charismatic leader
18.
Which of the following has a positive connotation?
a)
An aggressive stance
b)
A hostile stance 
19.
Which word has the more positive connotation?
a)
laid-back
b)
lazy 
20.
Which word has the more positive connotation?
a)
Bean-pole
b)
Slender 
21.

Which phrase has negative connotation?

a)

a box filled with documents

b)

a box crammed with documents

22.

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

a)

a peculiar object

b)

a unique object

c)

a strange object

23.

What is a negative connotation of fragrance?

a)

odor

b)

aroma

c)

scent

24.

What is a positive connotation of tardy?

a)

playful

b)

delayed

c)

punctual

25.
Which word has a neutral connotation?
a)
Mansion
b)
Residence
c)
Shack
26.

Mark was sick of getting a dozen annoying e-mails with jokes from Sally every day. He wrote a sloppy reply letting her know that he wasn't allowed to receive silly e-mails at school.


What does the word "sick" suggest Mark was feeling as it is used in the first sentence of this story?

a)

full

b)

nauseous

c)

fed up with

d)

bored