Nuances in Word Meanings

Which adjective contains the most positive connotation?

• Stingy

• Broke

• Economical

• Cheap

Which adjective has the most positive connotation?

• Bossy

• Over-bearing

• Controlling

• Assertive

What verb has a more guilty connotation?

• Admitting

• Replying

• Telling

• Whispering

What would best describe someone who is extremely mad?

• Bothered

• Upset

• Disappointed

• Furious

a very small difference in color, tone, meaning, etc.

• nuances

• comparisons

• characteristics

Read the sentences. What is the difference between the words mortified and embarrassed?
Sam was mortified when he was called to come up onstage during the assembly.
Sam was embarrassed when he was called to come up onstage during the assembly.

• Mortified is the antonym of embarrassed.

• Embarrassed is more intense and has more negative connotation than mortified.

• Mortified is more intense and has a more negative connotation than embarrassed.

• Mortified and embarrassed have different denotations.

Oblivious to those around him, the father tenderly (smiled, smirked) at his newborn baby through the window of the hospital nursery.

• smiled

• smirked

Which talking verb most implies an angsty attitude?

• Hissed

• Murmured

• Muttered

• Whispered

With ​ (a)   , Jeff both looked forward to graduation while being sad to leave his school and friends.

• consciousness

• fondness

• maintenance

• consequence

• ambivalence

Which adjective has a more negative connotation?

• Loud

• Well-spoken

• Articulate