lesson
Choose connotation as well as definition
1 · Learn
Words with related meanings can suggest different attitudes. 'The group entered' is relatively neutral; 'the group invaded' suggests intrusion or force. Connotation is the association a word brings beyond its basic reference.
A thesaurus offers possibilities, not automatic improvements. Check intensity, register and context. Technical vocabulary should make a distinction clearer rather than hide a weak explanation.
2 · Worked example
I choose 'examined' instead of 'looked at' when the action involves careful scrutiny, but not when the character only glances briefly.
3 · Your turn
How does replacing 'asked' with 'demanded' change the implied manner?
Check your answer
Demanded suggests greater force or insistence, so it changes the tone rather than simply lengthening the word.
4 · Apply your learning
Revise three verbs in a paragraph and justify each change in relation to the intended action or attitude.
Adult guidance and safety
Require precise evidence and allow defensible alternative readings. Give feedback on sustained writing, not only short answers. These original short texts support skills but do not replace whole-book study, two authors in depth each year, stage-wide Shakespeare or a varied reading programme.
Open your writing and drawing pad
Write, draw or show your working. Use a mouse, pen or finger. This pad is not a submitted answer.
Not saved to your account. Download your drawing as PNG and your typed notes as TXT before leaving or refreshing. They are separate files. Do not enter private information.
Open a picture saved on this device to draw on it again. Opening replaces the drawing, but Undo can restore it. PNG only, up to 4 MB and 4096 × 4096 pixels. The picture stays in this browser; it is not uploaded. Paper lines in a saved picture become part of that picture.
Clear the drawing? Your typed notes will stay. You can undo this action.
Your pad is empty.
Open a UTF-8 TXT file from this device, up to 40 KB and 10,000 characters. It stays in this browser. Opening can be undone until you type again. Downloads keep a new copy; they do not change the file you opened.
Replace the notes on this page with the opened file? Download the current notes first if you want to keep them.
Typed notes are not submitted answers.
Practice this lesson
Lesson resources
Browse the available practice activities and worksheets for this lesson.
Your progress