Shades of Meaning

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Understanding Shades of Meaning (MCQs & Matching)

WALT: We Are Learning To choose words with the correct degree of intensity for meaning and tone.

Success criteria: I can select words that match mild, moderate or strong meanings; I can match words with close synonyms and explain small differences.

Differentiation: Provide a word bank or work in pairs; underline clues in each sentence for learners who need support.

Extension: Identify and rewrite a paragraph using stronger or weaker synonyms to change tone.

1. Which word is the mildest form of 'cold'?

freezing

chilly

frigid

bitter

2. Which synonym for 'happy' suggests a brief, light feeling rather than deep joy?

ecstatic

content

pleased

elated

3. Check all the verbs that are stronger (more forceful) than 'walk'.

stroll

march

stride

tiptoe

4. Match each word in column A with the closest synonym in column B. Draw lines between matching items.

A1. furious

A2. amused

A3. tiny

A4. whisper

A5. massive

B. murmur

C. enormous

D. irate

E. minuscule

F. chuckle

✏️ Part 2: Short Answers — Use and Explain

WALT: We Are Learning To choose precise synonyms and explain subtle differences in meaning.

Success criteria: I can write sentences using different shades of a word and justify my choices in one or two sentences.

Differentiation: Offer sentence starters or a reduced list of synonym choices; allow oral responses recorded by a peer.

Extension: Create a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) that deliberately shifts tone by changing one key word’s intensity.

5. Use 'reluctant' in one sentence and 'hesitant' in another. In one short sentence, explain the subtle difference between them (_______).

6. Replace the simple word with a stronger synonym and explain the change in tone. Original: "She was sad."

7. Rewrite "The dog barked." twice: once with a milder verb and once with a stronger verb. Briefly note how each change affects the reader's impression.