Connotation & Word Choice - INTSV

What is the connotation of the word hollow in this passage?

The hallway was silent except for the hollow sound of footsteps echoing off the lockers. Every shadow seemed longer than usual, stretching like claws across the floor. Mia’s heart pounded as she walked faster, gripping her books tightly. She told herself there was no reason to be afraid, but the whispering wind through the cracked window told her otherwise. The school felt less like a safe place and more like a trap.

• Comforting and safe

• Empty and eerie

• Echoing and strong

• Neutral and plain

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

How does the author’s word choice of whispering wind affect the mood?

The hallway was silent except for the hollow sound of footsteps echoing off the lockers. Every shadow seemed longer than usual, stretching like claws across the floor. Mia’s heart pounded as she walked faster, gripping her books tightly. She told herself there was no reason to be afraid, but the whispering wind through the cracked window told her otherwise. The school felt less like a safe place and more like a trap.

• It makes the school feel peaceful.

• It makes the scene feel mysterious and unsettling.

• It shows the wind is strong and powerful.

• It shows the school is lively.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

What does the word ominous most likely suggest in this passage?

The Titanic was advertised as an unsinkable ship, a marvel of modern engineering. Passengers marveled at the chandeliers, velvet carpets, and glamorous dining halls. Yet beneath the glittering luxury, there was an ominous sense of overconfidence. Warnings about icebergs were ignored, and the speed of the ship was never reduced. When disaster struck, the ship’s reputation became a bitter irony, remembered not for its triumph but for its tragedy.

• Hopeful and exciting

• Warning of danger

• Joyful and lively

• Scientific and neutral

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

How does the author’s word choice of unsinkable influence the meaning of the passage?

The Titanic was advertised as an unsinkable ship, a marvel of modern engineering. Passengers marveled at the chandeliers, velvet carpets, and glamorous dining halls. Yet beneath the glittering luxury, there was an ominous sense of overconfidence. Warnings about icebergs were ignored, and the speed of the ship was never reduced. When disaster struck, the ship’s reputation became a bitter irony, remembered not for its triumph but for its tragedy.

• It shows how safe the ship truly was.

• It emphasizes the irony of the disaster.

• It proves the ship was poorly built.

• It highlights the beauty of the ship’s design.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

What tone is created by the author’s description of the storm?

The sky wore a robe of stormy gray,
Thunder growled a warning in the distance.
The trees bowed low, their voices trembling,
Leaves scattering like frightened birds.
Children pressed their faces to the glass,
Watching the world darken with each gust of wind.

• Calm and peaceful

• Threatening and anxious

• Exciting and joyful

• Neutral and factual

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Which word carries a negative connotation that builds the storm’s mood?

The sky wore a robe of stormy gray,
Thunder growled a warning in the distance.
The trees bowed low, their voices trembling,
Leaves scattering like frightened birds.
Children pressed their faces to the glass,
Watching the world darken with each gust of wind.

• Robe

• Trembling

• Birds

• Glass

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

What is the denotative meaning of clear in this passage?

Daniel stepped onto the stage, his palms slick with sweat. The spotlight glared down, exposing every nervous twitch. Yet as he opened his mouth, a sudden calm washed over him. His voice rang out clear, carrying through the auditorium like a bell. The audience leaned in, captivated, as fear transformed into confidence.

• Easy to hear and understand

• Empty or hollow

• Without clouds

• Free of blame

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

How does the author’s word choice in the last sentence affect the meaning?

Daniel stepped onto the stage, his palms slick with sweat. The spotlight glared down, exposing every nervous twitch. Yet as he opened his mouth, a sudden calm washed over him. His voice rang out clear, carrying through the auditorium like a bell. The audience leaned in, captivated, as fear transformed into confidence.

• It shows Daniel gave up in fear.

• It shows Daniel’s fear turned into strength.

• It proves Daniel disliked the audience.

• It proves the spotlight scared him more.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

What is the connotative meaning of groundbreaking in this passage?

The Wright brothers’ first flight was short but groundbreaking. Their machine lifted into the air for only 12 seconds, yet it changed history. Many people doubted the possibility of human flight, calling it impossible and even foolish. But the Wright brothers’ determination turned skepticism into awe. Today, their achievement is seen as the foundation of modern aviation.

• Simple and plain

• Ordinary and unimportant

• New and revolutionary

• Harsh and destructive

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5C

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

How does the author’s use of the word impossible impact the passage?

The Wright brothers’ first flight was short but groundbreaking. Their machine lifted into the air for only 12 seconds, yet it changed history. Many people doubted the possibility of human flight, calling it impossible and even foolish. But the Wright brothers’ determination turned skepticism into awe. Today, their achievement is seen as the foundation of modern aviation.

• It highlights how dangerous flying was.

• It emphasizes the disbelief people had before the success.

• It suggests the Wright brothers failed.

• It proves flying was unsafe for years.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.RL.1.4