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Worksheets

Nuances in Word Meanings

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which adjective contains the most positive connotation?

a)

Stingy

b)

Broke

c)

Economical

d)

Cheap

2.

Which adjective has the most positive connotation?

a)

Bossy

b)

Over-bearing

c)

Controlling

d)

Assertive

3.

What verb has a more guilty connotation?

a)

Admitting

b)

Replying

c)

Telling

d)

Whispering

4.

What would best describe someone who is extremely mad?

a)

Bothered

b)

Upset

c)

Disappointed

d)

Furious

5.

a very small difference in color, tone, meaning, etc.

a)

nuances

b)

comparisons

c)

characteristics

6.

Read the sentences. What is the difference between the words mortified and embarrassed?
Sam was mortified when he was called to come up onstage during the assembly.
Sam was embarrassed when he was called to come up onstage during the assembly.

a)

Mortified is the antonym of embarrassed.

b)

Embarrassed is more intense and has more negative connotation than mortified.

c)

Mortified is more intense and has a more negative connotation than embarrassed.

d)

Mortified and embarrassed have different denotations.

7.

Oblivious to those around him, the father tenderly (smiled, smirked) at his newborn baby through the window of the hospital nursery.

a)

smiled

b)

smirked

8.

Which talking verb most implies an angsty attitude?

a)

Hissed

b)

Murmured

c)

Muttered

d)

Whispered

9.

With ​ (a)   , Jeff both looked forward to graduation while being sad to leave his school and friends.

Choose from the below words

consciousness

fondness

maintenance

consequence

ambivalence

10.

Which adjective has a more negative connotation?

a)

Loud

b)

Well-spoken

c)

Articulate

11.

Which verb has the most positive connotation?

a)

Hissed

b)

Shouted

c)

Whimpered

d)

Exclaimed

12.

What verb would most imply that someone is viewing something quickly.

a)

Inspected

b)

Examined

c)

Gazed

d)

Glanced

13.

This photo is_________to me because it's the only one I have of my grandmother.

a)

meaningless

b)

insignificant

c)

precious

d)

valuable

14.

Which has a more negative connotation?

a)

skinny

b)

thin

c)

scrawny

15.

Which has a more positive connotation?

a)

unusual

b)

extraordinary

c)

bizarre

16.

Which word has the most positive connotation?

a)

A) Frugal

b)

B) Miserly

c)

C) Cheap

d)

D) Stingy

17.

What verb implies a more secretive action?

a)

A) Announce

b)

B) Whisper

c)

C) Declare

d)

D) Proclaim

18.

Which adjective has a more negative connotation?

a)

A) Confident

b)

B) Arrogant

c)

C) Self-assured

d)

D) Poised

19.

What word best describes someone who is extremely happy?

a)

A) Content

b)

B) Joyful

c)

C) Elated

d)

D) Pleased

20.

Which verb suggests a more forceful action?

a)

A) Push

b)

B) Nudge

c)

C) Shove

d)

D) Tap

21.

Which word has a more positive connotation?

a)

A) Talkative

b)

B) Chatty

c)

C) Garrulous

d)

D) Loquacious

22.

What adjective implies a more intense feeling of fear?

a)

A) Afraid

b)

B) Terrified

c)

C) Scared

d)

D) Nervous

23.

Which word has a more negative connotation?

a)

A) Curious

b)

B) Nosy

c)

C) Inquisitive

d)

D) Interested

24.

What verb implies a more casual action?

a)

A) Stroll

b)

B) March

c)

C) Stride

d)

D) Saunter

25.

Which adjective has a more positive connotation?

a)

A) Unique

b)

B) Strange

c)

C) Weird

d)

D) Odd