ENGLISH 4

CONNOTATION AND DENOTATION

A B
A dove is a bird A dove symbolizes peace and love. A dove also
symbolizes a messenger.
A pen is an instrument for writing or drawing. A pen symbolizes journalism.
A snake is a reptile. A snake symbolizes being a traitor.

Denotation – is the specific,exact, and concrete meaning of a word. This is the meaning you will find in a
dictionary.

1. I could still remember the flock of doves flying in the sky.

2. I love to write using a pen in my notebook.
3. I saw a dead snake on the road.

Connotation – is an idea or quality that a word expresses in addition to its primary meaning. It can be
positive or negative.

1. She is a snake.
2. The pen is mightier than the sword.
3. I wish each one of us could hold a dove in our hearts.

(provide examples of positive and negative connotation)

REMEMBER:

The denotation of a word is its dictionary meaning.

The connotation of a word is an association or feeling it brings in mind.

ACTIVITIES:

Identify the different meanings of the content specific words using connotation and denotation.

Write C if the sentence expresses connotation and D if the sentence expresses denotation.

1. He chickened out on going bungee jumping. C

2. My mother sells dressed chicken. D
3. Soldiers have a tiger-looked aura. C
4. Dogs are considered man’s bestfriend. C
5. My aunt has a new house. D

CHILD – innocence
Sunrise – new beginning
Book – knowledge
Reptile – alligator
Shape-heart
Barks- dog

1. She has a big heart. A. generous

2. Butterflies fly gently. B. Spends money wisely
3. Grandpa is thrifty. C. innocent
4. She is a child-like. D. a nectar-feeding insect
5. He is firm with his word. E. strongly felt

1. Connotation of heart.
a. Love b. shape

2. Connotation of dove.
a. Bird b. peace

3. Connotation of child.
a. Innocence b. human being
 4. Denotation of dog.
a. Man’s best friend
b. A domesticated animal that barks
5. Denotation of crocodile.
a. A reptile
b. A corrupt person

For each item below, encircle the word that provide the denotative meaning of the given word.

1. Noisy a. talkative b. loud c. party

2. Old a. aged b. elderly c. antique
3. Soft a. pillow b. gentle c. kind
4. Jolly a. merry b. cheerful c. happy
5. Lovely a. wonderful b. beautiful c. delightful

For each item below, encircle the word that provides connotative meaning of the given word.

1. Small a. little b. tiny c. dwarf

2. Wise [Link] b. brilliant c. arrogant
3. Fat a. obese b. healthy c. fleshy
4. Difficult a. problem b. quarrel c. disagreement
5. Fashion a. style b. trendy c. form
ACTIVITY 1: TRUE OR FALSE
1. Connotation of heart is shape.
b. Love b. shape

2. Connotation of dove is peace.

b. Bird b. peace

3. Connotation of child is innocence.

b. Innocence b. human being

4. Denotation of dog man’s bestfriend.

c. Man’s best friend
d. A domesticated animal that barks
e.
5. Denotation of crocodile is a reptile.
c. A reptile
d. A corrupt person

ACTIVITY 2: MULTIPLE CHOICE

For each item below, encircle the word that provide the denotative meaning of the given word.

6. Noisy a. talkative b. loud c. party

7. Old a. aged b. elderly c. antique
8. Soft a. pillow b. gentle c. kind
9. Jolly a. merry b. cheerful c. happy
10. Lovely a. wonderful b. beautiful c. delightful

For each item below, encircle the word that provides connotative meaning of the given word.

6. Small a. little b. tiny c. dwarf

7. Wise [Link] b. brilliant c. arrogant
8. Fat a. obese b. healthy c. fleshy
9. Difficult a. problem b. quarrel c. disagreement
10. Fashion a. style b. trendy c. form
ACTIVITY 3: FILL IN THE BLANKS
Complete each sentence below by inserting the word that has the more positive connotation.
1. Maria is a little too__________________to go to the mall alone. (immature, young)
2. Kevin engaged in a political ___________________with his friend. (debate, argument)
3. Mr. Santos is a very ____________________man. (egotistical, proud)
4. Mrs. Keller was very____________________when she told me to be on time for class.
(pushy, assertive)
5. We poured_______________into the clay pots. (soil, dirt)
6. The baby was ______________yesterday afternoon. (fussy, whiny)

Complete each sentence below by inserting the word that has the more negative connotation.
7. Who lives in this_________________cottage? (quaint,old)
8. When it comes to money, Mrs. Dobner is very ____________________. (thrifty, cheap)
9. Please get that__________________off my town. (puppy, muff)
10. The _____________from the refrigerator made me sick. (stench, fragrance)

ACTIVITY 4: CONFIGURATION
ACTIVITY 5: SHORT ANSWER
1. Which is worth more, something old or something antique?_________________
2. Which would you rather be called, cheap or thrifty?_____________________
3. Would a vain people be more likely to stroll or parade?__________________
4. Which is more serious, a problem or disaster?_________________________
5. Is it more polite to sip or gulp a drink?________________________________
6. If you haven’t eaten for days, would you be hungry or starving?______________
7. After working in mud, would your shoes be dirty or filthy?___________________
SHORT STORY

1. Who are the characters in the story?

2. Why does Christian have to practice poster making?
3. What is the first technique that Ms. Belle taught Christian?

Sure! Here's a multiple-choice activity on connotation and denotation for fourth-grade students:

Activity: Connotation and Denotation Multiple Choice

Instructions: Read each word and choose the correct option that describes its connotation or
denotation.

1. Connotation:

Which word has a positive connotation?

a) Happy
 b) Sad

c) Angry

2. Denotation:

What is the denotation of the word "small"?

a) Little in size

b) Big in size

c) Medium in size

3. Connotation:

Which word has a negative connotation?

a) Friendly

b) Mean

c) Brave

4. Denotation:

What is the denotation of the word "hot"?

a) High temperature

b) Cold temperature

c) Moderate temperature

5. Connotation:

Which word has a positive connotation?

a) Ugly

b) Beautiful

c) Boring

6. Denotation:

What is the denotation of the word "fast"?

 a) Quick in speed

b) Slow in speed

c) Moderate in speed

7. Connotation:

Which word has a neutral connotation?

a) Exciting

b) Ordinary

c) Fantastic

8. Denotation:

What is the denotation of the word "tall"?

a) High in height

b) Short in height

c) Average in height

9. Connotation:

Which word has a negative connotation?

a) Smart

b) Foolish

c) Honest

10. Denotation:

What is the denotation of the word "quiet"?

a) Making little or no noise

b) Loud and noisy

c) Talkative and chatty

Answers:
1. a) Happy

2. a) Little in size

3. b) Mean

4. a) High temperature

5. b) Beautiful

6. a) Quick in speed

7. b) Ordinary

8. a) High in height

9. b) Foolish

10. a) Making little or no noise

Feel free to modify or expand this activity according to your needs.

Write C if the sentence expresses connotation and D if the sentence expresses denotation.

He chickened out on going bungee jumping. C

My mother sells dressed chicken. D
Soldiers have a tiger-looked aura. C
Dogs are considered man’s bestfriend. C
My aunt has a new house. D

Please buy me a blue dress.

Leigh got a low score in her test. She is feeling blue.

The dove flew away.

That girl is a dove at heart.

You are the sun in my life.

The sun is a big star.