Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts : Distinguish Shades of Meaning Among Related Words: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.5.C
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts
All Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
Brian really did not want to go to the haunted house. He was trying to think of a way to get out of it. He was so nervous, he started shaking every time he thought about it.
Given the information above, select the best answer choice to show how Brian feels about haunted houses.
Brian was startled by haunted houses.
Brian was terrified of haunted houses.
Brian was scared of haunted houses.
Brian was terrified of haunted houses.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Terrified, scared, and startled all mean to have a negative feeling about something. But, these words all have different intensities.
Startled means to be surprised suddenly.
Scared means to be afraid.
Terrified means to be filled with great fear.
Because we are told that Brian was shaking with nervousness, which shows he was filled with great fear. “Terrified” is the correct answer.
Example Question #32 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
Select the answer choice that best describes a very big stuffed bear.
The stuffed bear was big.
None of the answer choices are correct.
The stuffed bear was enormous.
The stuffed bear was large.
The stuffed bear was enormous.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Big, enormous, and large all mean to be great in size. Since we are looking for “very big” or the largest option, “The stuffed bear was enormous” is the correct answer.
Example Question #33 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
Which sentence best describes how a witch would laugh at a funny joke?
The witch threw back her head and snickered.
The witch threw back her head and cackled.
The witch threw back her head and chuckled.
The witch threw back her head and giggled.
The witch threw back her head and cackled.
Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning. All of the vocabulary words are synonyms for laughter, giggled, cackled, chuckled, and snickered. When thinking about the context of the request, a witch laughing, the word with the best meaning to match this would be cackling. Throwing her head back shows it would be a hearty laugh rather than a small hidden laugh like a giggle, chuckle, or snicker.
Example Question #34 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
Which sentence describes how Andy would throw his toy if he were having a temper tantrum?
Andy tossed his toy to the side during his tantrum.
Andy sent his toy to the side during his tantrum.
Andy chucked his toy to the side during his tantrum.
Andy hurled his toy to the side during his tantrum.
Andy hurled his toy to the side during his tantrum.
In this question, readers can imagine a child having a tantrum and throwing a toy during their fit. The word that best describes how Andy would throw the toy is "hurled." Hurling means throwing something with force, which would make sense during a temper tantrum. Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning. Chuck, hurl, toss, and send all mean to throw something but each evokes a different shade of meaning.
Example Question #35 : Figurative Language, Word Relationships And Nuances In Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.5
Which sentence describes how someone with an injury would move?
Jessa ran down the field to complete the race.
Jessa limped down the field to complete the race.
Jessa bolted down the field to complete the race.
Jessa jogged down the field to complete the race.
Jessa limped down the field to complete the race.
Limping, bolting, jogging, and running are all synonyms to describe the speed of movement. If someone is injured, it is not likely that they will be moving quickly, so the word that describes the slowest form of motion of the four is to "limp." Bolting describes someone moving very fast, running is also a speedy type of movement, and jogging would be medium speed. Some words are alike but have slight differences in meaning. This is referred to as shades of meaning.
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts Resources
