Vocabulary: Context, Denotation, Connotation, and Analogies

Pangolins have a physical resemblance, or likeness, to an armadillo, with claws and armored bodies. When attacked, pangolins thwart combat by rolling into a hard ball and hiding. Like bats and other animals that sleep all day, pangolins are nocturnal. Because they lack teeth, eating tiny stones with their food is critical for digestion.

Choose the answer that explains that you have read the paragraph.

• Done

• Finished

• Complete

• Concluded

Pangolins have a physical resemblance, or likeness, to an armadillo, with claws and armored bodies. When attacked, pangolins thwart combat by rolling into a hard ball and hiding. Like bats and other animals that sleep all day, pangolins are nocturnal. Because they lack teeth, eating tiny stones with their food is critical for digestion.

Which phrase from the paragraph best helps you understand the meaning of the word resemblance?

• have a physical

• or likeness

• with claws

• armored bodies

Pangolins have a physical resemblance, or likeness, to an armadillo, with claws and armored bodies. When attacked, pangolins thwart combat by rolling into a hard ball and hiding. Like bats and other animals that sleep all day, pangolins are nocturnal. Because they lack teeth, eating tiny stones with their food is critical for digestion.

What does the phrase thwart combat mean in the paragraph?

• get attacked

• attack others

• avoid a fight

• start a fight

Pangolins have a physical resemblance, or likeness, to an armadillo, with claws and armored bodies. When attacked, pangolins thwart combat by rolling into a hard ball and hiding. Like bats and other animals that sleep all day, pangolins are nocturnal. Because they lack teeth, eating tiny stones with their food is critical for digestion.

What does the word nocturnal suggest about the pangolins?

• They roll into hard balls.

• They are awake at night.

• They are like all other animals.

• They lack teeth.

The answer choices have similar denotations. Which answer choice has the most positive connotation?

Cal and his wife had a debate about moving to a new a home.

• quarrel

• dispute

• discussion

• disagreement

The answer choices have similar denotations. Which answer choice has the most positive connotation?

Cal said, "We can turn the office into an acceptable bedroom."

• pleasing

• usable

• functional

• workable

The answer choices have similar denotations. Which answer choice has the most positive connotation?

Cal's wife wanted to move, and she was stubborn about it.

• pushy

• defiant

• obstinate

• determined

The answer choices have similar denotations. Which answer choice has the most negative connotation?

On moving day they transported all their belongings to their new home.

• sent

• lugged

• moved

• carried

The answer choices have similar denotations. Which answer choice has the most negative connotation?

Cal really likes the unusual architecture of the house.

• odd

• rare

• unique

• uncommon

Choose the correct word to complete each analogy.

trip is to fall as drop is to...

• water

• clumsy

• spring

• break