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Year 9 English — Choosing the precise word

Replace a vague intensifier and a weak adjective with the single word that says it properly.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Sort each phrase by whether a stronger single word could replace it.

    Groups: Vague — a stronger single word exists · Already precise

    • silent
    • very wet
    • very quiet
    • very big
    • drenched
    • gigantic

  2. 2.Sort each precise word by the ordinary adjective it strengthens.

    Groups: Means very happy · Means very sad · Means very surprised

    • delighted
    • astonished
    • heartbroken
    • miserable
    • astounded
    • overjoyed

  3. 3.Which sentence uses its precise word correctly?

    • a) The hall was enormous, so the five of us filled it easily.
    • b) The hall was enormous, and it held two thousand people.
    • c) The hall was enormous, because it was so small.
    • d) The hall was enormous, so we squeezed in with difficulty.

  4. 4.Replace "very afraid" with one precise word beginning with the letter t.

  5. 5.Replace the words in capitals with one precise word: "After the climb we were VERY TIRED."

    • a) so very tired
    • b) quite tired
    • c) rather sleepy
    • d) exhausted

  6. 6.Match each vague sentence to its sharper version.

    • The stew was very tasty.
    • The joke was very funny.
    • The task was very easy.
    • The noise was very loud.
    • The water was very cold.
    • The water was icy.
    • The noise was deafening.
    • The joke was hilarious.
    • The task was effortless.
    • The stew was delicious.

  7. 7.In which pair has the sentence been made weaker rather than sharper?

    • a) She was furious. → She was very angry.
    • b) He was very hungry. → He was famished.
    • c) It was very cold. → It was freezing.
    • d) She was very angry. → She was furious.

  8. 8.Put the steps of sharpening a weak adjective in the right order.

    • Then ask what that adjective would be if it were pushed to its limit.
    • Finally, write the single stronger word in place of both, and delete the intensifier.
    • First, find the intensifier — very, really, so, extremely.
    • Next, read the adjective it is propping up.

Answer key — Year 9 English — Choosing the precise word

  1. 1. very big → Vague — a stronger single word exists; gigantic → Already precise; very quiet → Vague — a stronger single word exists; silent → Already precise; very wet → Vague — a stronger single word exists; drenched → Already precise
  2. 2. delighted → Means very happy; overjoyed → Means very happy; miserable → Means very sad; heartbroken → Means very sad; astonished → Means very surprised; astounded → Means very surprised
  3. 3. b) The hall was enormous, and it held two thousand people.
  4. 4. terrified
  5. 5. d) exhausted
  6. 6. The stew was very tasty. → The stew was delicious.; The joke was very funny. → The joke was hilarious.; The task was very easy. → The task was effortless.; The noise was very loud. → The noise was deafening.; The water was very cold. → The water was icy.
  7. 7. a) She was furious. → She was very angry.
  8. 8. 1. First, find the intensifier — very, really, so, extremely. 2. Next, read the adjective it is propping up. 3. Then ask what that adjective would be if it were pushed to its limit. 4. Finally, write the single stronger word in place of both, and delete the intensifier.