Connotation & Denotation

Danielle did not get along with many people at school. In fact, she didn't get along with anyone, but that did not stop her from bothering people. She was a gnat that was always in the way. The kids in her class avoided her as best as they could. They would scramble out of Danielle's path when she walked down the hallway.

In the context of the story, what connotation does the word gnat have?

• Danielle is an interesting person.

• Danielle is a very small person.

• Danielle is an annoying person.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Mark was an inquisitive child. He wanted to know about everything that happened in the little town of Chesapeake.

What is the denotation of the meaning inquisitive as it is used above?

• curious, interested

• interesting, unusual

• intelligent, smart

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.RL.6.4

Just because Ian has a portable speaker, does that make it okay for him to blare music in public? Does everyone in the vicinity have to be bombarded with his bad taste in music, even if they don't want to?

Which of the following words in the sentence could the author have used instead of blare?

• blast

• ring

• shout

Tags

CCSS.L.1.5D

CCSS.L.2.5B

CCSS.L.3.5C

CCSS.L.K.5D

Cell phones are essential in today's world. You see stories all the time about people using cell phones to escape broken down elevators or rubble from earthquakes or hurricanes.

Which word could replace the word essential in the sentence and has a positive connotation?

• important

• different

• conversation

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

The Army finally conceded and appointed Mary Walker as an assistant surgeon in 1863, making her the first female doctor in the U.S. Army.

Which is the most positive connotation for the word conceded as used in the sentence?

• self-confidence

• agreed

• denied

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

The greedy animals ate and ate until all the plants were gone.

Which word could be used in place of the word greedy to make the sentence have a more positive connotation?

• miserable

• stingy

• selfish

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

The final walk of the dogs for "Best in Breed" was happening. Bear was prancing like he owned the world and his gait was perfect -- but so was Suzi's. Mrs. Carawan was chewing her nails as the announcer walked forward, called for attention and took a deep breath.

What was the mood of the passage?

• content

• angry

• anxious

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Mrs. Carawan and Mrs. Jackson always expect that when you take a test, you should read the directions, answer the question being asked, and look over your answer.

What is the tone of the passage?

• ironic

• hostile

• instructive

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Which one of the following two words has the most positive connotation?

• observe

• spy

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Which one of the following two words has the most positive connotation?

• immature

• youthful

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4