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Grade 9 English Language Arts — 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Answer key — Grade 9 English Language Arts — 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. 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.
  3. 3. c) silent
  4. 4. d) ancient
  5. 5. delighted → Means very happy; overjoyed → Means very happy; miserable → Means very sad; heartbroken → Means very sad; astonished → Means very surprised; astounded → Means very surprised
  6. 6. 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
  7. 7. a) exhausted
  8. 8. terrified