Synonyms and Antonyms — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which sentence best explains the shade of meaning difference between smile and smirk?
A) Smile is friendly, while smirk has a sneaky or proud connotation.
B) Smile and smirk mean exactly the same thing in every sentence.
C) Smirk is a louder version of a smile that you can hear clearly.
D) Smile is used only by kids, and smirk is used only by adults.
Smile carries a warm, positive shade of meaning, while smirk carries a sneaky or self-satisfied connotation.
2. Which word has a clearly negative connotation among these synonyms for thin?
A) scrawny
B) slim
C) slender
D) lean
Scrawny has a negative connotation, while slim, slender, and lean carry neutral or positive shades of meaning.
3. Which word has a clearly positive connotation among these synonyms for serious?
A) thoughtful
B) grim
C) stern
D) harsh
Thoughtful has a positive connotation, while grim, stern, and harsh carry more negative shades of meaning.
4. Which sentence best explains the shade of meaning difference between asked and demanded?
A) Asked is polite, while demanded has a forceful or rude connotation.
B) Asked and demanded carry the exact same shade of meaning always.
C) Demanded is a quieter form of asking used only by close friends.
D) Asked is used only in writing, and demanded is used only in speech.
Asked has a polite shade of meaning, while demanded has a forceful or harsh connotation toward the listener.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Among childlike, childish, and youthful, the synonym with a clearly negative connotation is childish.
Childish carries a negative shade of meaning about acting immature, while childlike and youthful are positive.
2. Among unique, weird, and unusual, the synonym with the most negative connotation is weird.
Weird carries a negative shade of meaning, while unique is positive and unusual is fairly neutral in tone.
3. Among confident, proud, and arrogant, the synonym with the most negative connotation is arrogant.
Arrogant carries a strongly negative connotation, while confident is positive and proud is fairly neutral.
4. Among laugh, giggle, and snicker, the synonym with the most negative connotation is snicker.
Snicker has a negative shade of meaning about laughing in a sneaky way, while laugh and giggle are friendly.
5. Among ask, beg, and request, the synonym with the most needy connotation is beg.
Beg carries a needy shade of meaning, while request is formal and ask is fairly neutral in tone.