1. VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
Connotation and Denotation

2. CONNOTATION AND DENOTATION
de·no·ta·tion noun \dē-nō-ˈtā-shən\
The most specific or direct meaning of a word, in contrast to its figurative or associated meanings.
The denotation of a word is its exact dictionary meaning.
con·no·ta·tion noun \kä-nə-ˈtā-shən\
The set of associations implied by a word in addition to its literal meaning.
The connotation of a word reflects its emotional qualities or meanings.

3. Negative and Positive Connotations of Colors

4. CONNOTATION AND DENOTATION
Mars is a frozen red desert whipped by tornadoes
and fierce winds.
Which word is an antonym for fierce?
A. natural
B. gentle
C. ancient
D. warm
“Forty million years ago, when the earth was
much wetter and warmer, huge forests with many
kinds of trees thrived in the far north.”
What does the word thrived mean in the sentence?
A. became shorter
B. died quickly
C. grew well
D. burned down
“Here’s the key,” she would say, retrieving a
small brass key from her pocket.”
What is a synonym for the word retrieving?
A. getting
B. turning
C. locking
D. polishing

5. CONNOTATION AND DENOTATION
The canal was so parched that the fish lined up
with their towels to take turns swimming in the few
remaining water holes.
What is the meaning of the word parched in this
sentence?
The canal was getting bigger.
The canal was filling up with water.
The canal was very cold.
The canal was drying up.
“The nearer he got to Father, the more he
dreaded asking for a nickel. He was sure Father
would not give it to him.”
What does dreaded mean in these sentences?
A. Feared
B. Questioned
C. Avoided
D. debated
“Millions of years passed, and the climate of the
earth altered dramatically. The northlands turned
cold and icy.”
What does altered mean in the sentence?
A. Jumped
B. Raised
C. Stopped
D. Changed

6. What is a synonym for conserve?
“One way is to conserve energy. If we burn less fossil fuel, we’ll produce less carbon dioxide.”
What is a synonym for conserve?
A. Save
B. Ignore
C. Waste
D. Increase

7. Read each of the following sentences
Read each of the following sentences. Decide from the context whether the speaker is showing approval (+) or disapproval (-) of the topic. Then circle the best word to put into the sentence.
1. “The sooner we move out of this (home, dump),” said Jack, “the happier I’ll be.”
2. This cell phone is (expensive, overpriced), but I don’t mind paying extra because it has so
many useful features.
3. You’re lucky to have Jason on your committee. He has lots of (original, crazy)
ideas.
4. Fidel and his (cronies, employees) have controlled the politics in this city for
more than twenty years. I certainly hope the other party wins this year!
5. It was a beautiful spring day, and the (stench, scent) of apple blossoms filled the
whole yard.
6. I hope I don’t have to share an office with Martin. Sandra told me how (curious, nosy) he
can be.
7. “I think Jay is an excellent president,” said the principal. “He really knows how to (manage,
meddle).”
8. Will you please turn your stereo off? I can’t concentrate with all that (music, noise)

9. The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Official Trailer The Great Gatsby - Trailer
The Reluctant Fundamentalist and The Great Gatsby are good examples for understanding negative connotation in particular and connotation in general, respectively. Especially after September/11, growing a beard is seen as a symbol of terror for many Americans and all the Muslims are considered as potential terrorists. Here is the trailer…