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Year 10 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 precise word by the ordinary adjective it strengthens.

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

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

  2. 2."The examination hall was very quiet." Which replacement keeps the meaning exactly?

    • a) shy
    • b) still
    • c) silent
    • d) calm

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

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

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

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

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

  5. 5.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 joke was hilarious.
    • The task was effortless.
    • The water was icy.
    • The noise was deafening.
    • The stew was delicious.

  6. 6."The manuscript was VERY OLD." Which single word says the same thing?

    • a) previous
    • b) former
    • c) elderly
    • d) ancient

  7. 7.Sort each word by whether it already carries the idea of "very" inside it.

    Groups: Already means very — no intensifier needed · An ordinary adjective

    • cold
    • pleased
    • big
    • enormous
    • delighted
    • freezing

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

Answer key — Year 10 English — Choosing the precise word

  1. 1. delighted → Means very happy; overjoyed → Means very happy; miserable → Means very sad; heartbroken → Means very sad; astonished → Means very surprised; astounded → Means very surprised
  2. 2. c) silent
  3. 3. 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
  4. 4. 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.
  5. 5. 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.
  6. 6. d) ancient
  7. 7. enormous → Already means very — no intensifier needed; big → An ordinary adjective; delighted → Already means very — no intensifier needed; pleased → An ordinary adjective; freezing → Already means very — no intensifier needed; cold → An ordinary adjective
  8. 8. terrified