Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts : Understand Nuanced Word Meanings and Relationships: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.5
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts
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Example Questions
Example Question #7 : Distinguish Connotations Among Words With Similar Denotations: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.5.C
Which of the following words best completes the sentence below in a matching tone and connotation?
Safety experts maintain that it is absolutely _________ for infants to be securely seated in car seats with several restraints, not only in case of an accident but also to restrict the jarring and often quite harmful movements that come from typical acceleration and braking.
important
beneficial
imperative
helpful
imperative
This sentence calls for a word that connotes urgency - the word “absolutely” preceding the blank suggests that the action is vital, and the fact that the sentence is about the safety of a baby also suggests that the practice of properly using car seats is critical, not just helpful. The word that best provides this urgency is “imperative” as the action is not merely helpful, beneficial, or important - it’s absolutely necessary.
Example Question #143 : Language
Relieved to be away from the stress of her job and the bustle of the city, Callie happily soaked in the _________ beauty of the small, quiet lakefront town.
Which of the following words is the LEAST appropriate choice to complete the blank above?
mundane
tranquil
serene
peaceful
mundane
The context of the sentence above suggests that the slow pace and peaceful nature of the small, quiet town is a good thing in Callie’s mind. So we’re looking for a word with a positive connotation. “Mundane” is a synonym for “boring” which carries a negative connotation, making it seem like the quiet town is a bad thing. “Serene,” “peaceful,” and “tranquil” are all positive connotation words to describe a quiet, relaxed scene.
Example Question #144 : Language
Which of the following words best completes the sentence below in an appropriate tone and connotation?
Between the rain that forced everyone inside with muddy clothes, the pastor calling her by the wrong name, and the fight that broke out between the groomsmen, Becky could only describe her wedding day as _______.
eventful
exhilarating
exciting
exceptional
eventful
Note that, by the context of the sentence, none of the things that happened could be considered good things in Becky’s mind, so the word that fills in the blank cannot have a positive connotation - it must be negative or at least neutral. “Exciting,” “exceptional,” and “exhilarating” all have positive connotations, whereas “eventful” is neutral.
Example Question #145 : Language
Which of the following words best completes the sentence below in an appropriate tone and connotation?
Her friends admire that Amanda is so __________, constantly jumping between new hobbies and projects and happy to change directions at any moment.
haphazard
unplanned
spontaneous
disorganized
spontaneous
We know that her friends admire this quality in Amanda, so we’re looking for a word with a positive connotation. “Unplanned,” “disorganized,” and “haphazard” all have negative connotations, but “spontaneous” is positive, so that is your correct answer.
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All Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts Resources
