GradeMap

Grade 6 · English Language Arts · Unit 9 of 11

Connotation & Tone

Word choice changes meaning

What your child practises

Words can share a dictionary meaning (denotation) but carry different feelings (connotation), like “cozy” and “cramped.” Students choose words for effect and identify a writer's tone.

Ontario Curriculum expectation: C1.5 · word choice, voice and tone

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Sort each word: positive or negative connotation?

    Sort into: 😊 Positive · 😒 Negative

    • 🔤nosy
    • 🔤relaxed
    • 🔤bold
    • 🔤pushy
    • 🔤stingy
    • 🔤determined
    Show answer

    😊 Positive: relaxed, bold, determined · 😒 Negative: nosy, pushy, stingy

    Hint: Ask yourself: would you feel pleased or upset if someone used this word to describe you?

  2. Question 2

    What is the tone of this comment?

    Pool fees went up again this year, and once again nobody asked the families who actually use the pool.

    • grateful
    • amused
    • joyful
    • frustrated
    Show answer

    frustrated

    Hint: Notice “again” and “once again nobody asked.” How does the writer feel about it?

  3. Question 3

    Which word has the most negative connotation?

    • young
    • childish
    • youthful
    Show answer

    childish

    Hint: All three words mean about the same thing (like a young person). Which one sounds the most unpleasant?

  4. Question 4

    Which sentence makes the room sound unpleasant?

    • The room was cramped and dim.
    • The room was small and had one lamp.
    • The room was cozy and softly lit.
    Show answer

    The room was cramped and dim.

    Hint: Look for words with negative connotations.

  5. Question 5

    A travel website wants its cabin to sound appealing. Which word fits best? “Our _____ cabin sleeps four.”

    • cramped
    • small
    • cozy
    Show answer

    cozy

    Hint: All three mean “not big.” Which one makes you want to stay there?

  6. Question 6

    What is the tone of this message?

    Please be careful near the edge. The rocks are slippery, and the water is deeper than it looks.

    • playful
    • cautious
    • bored
    • furious
    Show answer

    cautious

    Hint: The writer gives a warning about possible danger.