Common Core: 7th Grade English Language Arts : Distinguish Connotations Among Words with Similar Denotations: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.5.C

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Example Question #1 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5.C

Select the word that is a positive connotation for the definition below:

really wanting something to happen

Possible Answers:

eager

annoyed

impatient 

frustrated

Correct answer:

eager

Explanation:

Connotation is the feeling or idea that goes along with a word or phrase. Some words are close in meaning but have different connotations. 

Both impatient and eager mean to want something to happen. However, eager means you are excited- which is more positive. Impatient means you are pushy or demanding- which is negative. Eager is the correct answer. 

Example Question #1 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5.C

Select the word that is a negative connotation for the definition below:

someone who works for someone 

Possible Answers:

underling

employee

employer 

boss

Correct answer:

underling

Explanation:

Connotation is the feeling or idea that goes along with a word or phrase. Some words are close in meaning but have different connotations.

Both employee and underling mean to work for someone. However, underling is more of a negative term. 

Example Question #11 : Understand Nuanced Word Meanings And Relationships: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5

Select the word that is a negative connotation for the definition below:

a smell 

Possible Answers:

stench 

oder

appeal

retrieve 

Correct answer:

stench 

Explanation:

Connotation is the feeling or idea that goes along with a word or phrase. Some words are close in meaning but have different connotations.

Example Question #1 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5.C

Which of the following words is the LEAST appropriate to complete the sentence(s) below?

The stray cat was __________. It was skin and bones and looked like it hadn’t eaten in a very long time.

Possible Answers:

slim

lanky

thin

gaunt

Correct answer:

thin

Explanation:

All of the words are similar in meaning and imply that something (in this case a stray cat) is skinny. Based on the context of the sentences the cat is extremely skinny which means that “thin” is not a severe enough denotation.

Example Question #1 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5.C

Which of the following words best completes the sentence(s) below in a matching tone and connotation?

The king was __________ and overruled anyone who opposed him. There was no excuse that could save someone from the guillotine.

Possible Answers:

domineering

pushy

assertive

aggressive

Correct answer:

domineering

Explanation:

Domineering means inclined to rule arbitrarily or despotically; overbearing; tyrannical. The king is incredibly unwilling to listen to anyone and uses brute force to rule. This is beyond pushy, assertive, and aggressive.

Example Question #1 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5.C

Which of the following words is the MOST appropriate to complete the sentence(s) below?

The only way to describe my brother is ___________. He has an IQ of 153 and studies black holes in space!

Possible Answers:

brilliant

smart

brainy

bright

Correct answer:

brilliant

Explanation:

The context of the sentence tells us he has a very high IQ and a difficult job that requires a lot of knowledge so readers know he is brainy, smart, and bright but he is more than that. The connotation of the sentences leads the readers to understand he is incredibly smart or in this case, brilliant.

Example Question #1 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5.C

Which of the following words fits best to complete the sentence(s) below?

She had the type of face that could be easily forgotten. There was nothing distinguishable about her really. Overall, she was quite ________.

Possible Answers:

plain

dull

hideous

ugly

Correct answer:

plain

Explanation:

Several of these choices have similar connotations (meanings) but to varying extremes. Something that is hideous would be hard to look at, and therefore distinguishable or noticeable; to a slightly lesser extent, ugly is also a memorable condition when the sentence indicates that this person would be forgettable.  And “dull” when applied to a person generally relates to personality not appearance (when applied to an object it means the opposite of shiny). Someone who has features that are easily forgotten or undistinguishable would be plain.

Example Question #1 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5.C

Which of the following words best completes the sentence(s) below in a matching tone and connotation?

When searching through the dusty attic I found so many pieces of __________ furniture underneath sheets and cloths. They were beautifully handcrafted with close attention to detail, made of the finest woods, and probably worth a fortune!

Possible Answers:

aged

old

elderly

antique

Correct answer:

antique

Explanation:

All of the answer choices mean something similar in that the items must be old but the connotation of the sentences assists readers with which word has the most appropriate denotation. When describing handcrafted items, such as furniture, that are old and worth a lot of money they are referred to as antiques. What was found in this example were valuable pieces of antique furniture.

Example Question #2 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5.C

Which of the following words is the MOST appropriate to complete the sentence(s) below?

Jackie opened her Christmas presents as her parents watched in anticipation. As the box opened, a smile spread from ear to ear across Jackie’s face and her eyes sparkled with tears of joy. She was ________ to find the new cell phone she had been wanting for months sitting in the box.

Possible Answers:

elated

content

happy

satisfied

Correct answer:

elated

Explanation:

Jackie is overcome with joy and is elated to have received just the gift she was hoping for. Her smile was enormous and she had tears of joy in her eyes. This tells readers that she is thrilled with the gift and far beyond the wrong answer choices emotionally.

Example Question #10 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.7.5.C

Which of these answer choices lists words that do NOT have the same denotation?

Possible Answers:

Sweet, kind, thoughtful

Unique, different, peculiar

Selective, meticulous, picky

Full, void, unsatisfied

Correct answer:

Full, void, unsatisfied

Explanation:

This choice included two words with similar denotations (void and unsatisfied) but full is an antonym to these words.

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