Nuances in word meaning

Which word is the most intense way to say someone is happy?

• Pleased

• Content

• Joyful

• Ecstatic

Answer explanation

While all words relate to happiness, 'ecstatic' describes an overwhelming and intense feeling of joy, making it the strongest word.

Sort these words by their connotation: Positive or Negative.

Groups:

(a) Positive

,

(b) Negative

• Slender

• Confident

• Arrogant

• Nosy

• Scrawny

• Curious

Answer explanation

Words are sorted based on the feeling they evoke. 'Curious', 'slender', and 'confident' have positive associations, while 'nosy', 'scrawny', and 'arrogant' have negative ones.

When writing an email to your principal, which word is the most appropriate choice? 'I would like to ___ a meeting.'

• ask for

• get

• request

• grab

Answer explanation

'Request' is a formal word appropriate for communicating with a principal. The other options are too informal for this context.

Match each word for looking at something to its specific nuance.

• To look secretly, especially through a small opening

• Stare

• To look quickly or briefly

• Peek

• To look fixedly for a long time

• Glance

Answer explanation

Each word describes a different way of looking. A 'glance' is quick, a 'stare' is long and intense, and a 'peek' is secretive.

What is the main difference in meaning between 'walked' and 'strolled'?

• 'Strolled' implies walking quickly and with purpose.

• 'Strolled' implies walking in a relaxed, unhurried way.

• 'Walked' is a more formal word than 'strolled'.

• There is no difference in meaning between the two words.

Answer explanation

'Strolled' has a specific nuance of leisure and relaxation that 'walked' does not. 'Walked' is a general term for moving on foot.

The old, abandoned house on the hill looked ___ in the moonlight, making the kids too scared to go near it.

• strange

• unusual

• eerie

• different

Answer explanation

'Eerie' specifically means strange and frightening in a mysterious way, which best fits the spooky context of an abandoned house at night.

Sort these words into two groups: Formal or Informal.

Groups:

(a) Formal

,

(b) Informal

• Immature

• Get

• Obtain

• Excellent

• Childish

• Awesome

Answer explanation

Words are sorted by their level of formality. 'Obtain', 'immature', and 'excellent' are used in more formal settings, while 'get', 'childish', and 'awesome' are more casual.

The word 'thrifty' has a positive connotation. Which word means something similar but has a negative connotation?

• Economical

• Stingy

• Saving

• Frugal

Answer explanation

'Thrifty', 'economical', and 'frugal' all positively describe someone who is careful with money. 'Stingy' has a negative connotation, implying someone is ungenerous.

Match each word to its level of intensity, from mild to strong.

• Mild negative feeling

• Dislike

• Extreme negative feeling

• Loathe

• Strong negative feeling

• Hate

Answer explanation

These words express a similar negative feeling but vary in strength. 'Dislike' is mild, 'hate' is strong, and 'loathe' is the most intense or extreme.

In the sentence, 'He murmured an apology,' what does the word 'murmured' suggest that 'said' does not?

• He spoke in a low, quiet, and indistinct voice.

• He shouted the apology across the room.

• He spoke clearly and formally.

• He was angry when he apologized.

Answer explanation

'Murmured' carries the nuance of speaking softly and not very clearly, often out of shyness or reluctance. 'Said' is a neutral term for speaking.