Class 5 English — Shades of meaning
Choose between words that mean nearly the same thing but differ in strength or in feeling.
Name: ________________________
1.Put these words in order, from the smallest to the biggest.
- large
- tiny
- small
- enormous
2.Sort each verb by what it is a way of doing.
Groups: A way of walking · A way of looking
- glance
- peep
- march
- wander
- stroll
- stare
3.All of these describe the same thing. Sort them by how they make the person sound.
Groups: A kind way to say it · An unkind way to say it
- big-headed
- slim
- careful with money
- confident
- skinny
- stingy
4.Put these words in order, from the coolest to the hottest.
- cool
- boiling
- warm
- hot
5.Match each ordinary word to the stronger word that means the same thing.
- hungry
- tired
- cold
- happy
- angry
- wet
- furious
- exhausted
- starving
- delighted
- freezing
- soaked
6.Which word shows the most fear?
- a) worried
- b) uneasy
- c) terrified
- d) nervous
7.The soup was so ____ that it burned her tongue.
- a) mild
- b) hot
- c) warm
- d) cool
8.Which word names a smile that is not really friendly?
- a) smirk
- b) chuckle
- c) beam
- d) grin
Answer key — Class 5 English — Shades of meaning
- 1. 1. tiny 2. small 3. large 4. enormous
- 2. stroll → A way of walking; stare → A way of looking; march → A way of walking; glance → A way of looking; wander → A way of walking; peep → A way of looking
- 3. slim → A kind way to say it; skinny → An unkind way to say it; careful with money → A kind way to say it; stingy → An unkind way to say it; confident → A kind way to say it; big-headed → An unkind way to say it
- 4. 1. cool 2. warm 3. hot 4. boiling
- 5. hungry → starving; tired → exhausted; cold → freezing; happy → delighted; angry → furious; wet → soaked
- 6. c) terrified
- 7. b) hot
- 8. a) smirk