Grade 6 Connotation & Tone worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- Denotation is a word’s dictionary meaning. Connotation is the feeling it carries.
- Cozy and cramped both mean small, but cozy feels good and cramped feels bad.
- Tone is the writer’s attitude, shown by word choice: cheerful, angry, worried, playful.
Example: Which has the more positive connotation: “thrifty” or “stingy”? Both mean careful with money. Stingy sounds selfish. Thrifty sounds wise. Answer: thrifty
Question 1
Sort each word: positive or negative connotation?
Sort into: 😊 Positive · 😒 Negative
- 🔤determined
- 🔤bold
- 🔤arrogant
- 🔤cramped
- 🔤stingy
- 🔤relaxed
😊 Positive: determined, bold, relaxed · 😒 Negative: arrogant, cramped, stingy
Hint: Ask yourself: would you feel pleased or upset if someone used this word to describe you?
Question 2
“stroll” and “trudge” have the same denotation (dictionary meaning). What is it?
- known by many people
- a building where people live
- to move along on foot
- like a young person
to move along on foot
Hint: Ignore the feelings for a moment. “walk” is the plain word that means the same thing.
Question 3
Which sentence shows that the writer admires Leo?
- Leo is confident and speaks up in class.
- Leo is arrogant and talks over everyone.
- Leo talks in class.
Leo is confident and speaks up in class.
Hint: “Confident” and “arrogant” are close in meaning, but only one is a compliment.
Question 4
A reviewer wants readers to dislike a character. Which word fits best? “The hero was _____ and refused to listen to anyone's advice.”
- determined
- stubborn
- cheerful
stubborn
Hint: “Determined” and “stubborn” both mean not giving up, but one sounds negative.
Question 5
What is the tone of this description?
The empty playground was silent. A single swing creaked in the wind, and the gate hung open.
- cheerful
- lonely
- excited
- silly
lonely
Hint: Empty, silent, a single swing: what mood do these details create?
Question 6
Which word has the most positive connotation?
- weird
- unique
- unusual
unique
Hint: All three words mean about the same thing (not common or ordinary). Which one sounds the most pleasant?
Question 7
Which word has the most negative connotation?
- young
- childish
- youthful
childish
Hint: All three words mean about the same thing (like a young person). Which one sounds the most unpleasant?
Question 8
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
cautious
Hint: The writer gives a warning about possible danger.
Question 9
What is the tone of this passage?
Finally! After months of practice, our team won the championship!
- bored
- gloomy
- excited
excited
Hint: Look at the exclamation marks and the words “Finally!” and “won.”
Question 10
What is a word's connotation?
- the feelings or ideas it suggests
- its exact dictionary meaning
- the way it is spelled
the feelings or ideas it suggests
Hint: “Home” and “house” have the same dictionary meaning, but “home” feels warmer. That feeling is connotation.
Answer key
- 1. 😊 Positive: determined, bold, relaxed · 😒 Negative: arrogant, cramped, stingy
- 2. to move along on foot
- 3. Leo is confident and speaks up in class.
- 4. stubborn
- 5. lonely
- 6. unique
- 7. childish
- 8. cautious
- 9. excited
- 10. the feelings or ideas it suggests
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback.