Grade 8 English worksheet focusing on connotation and denotation, with definitions, examples, and a word classification activity.

Let's solve this Language Art – Connotation and Denotation worksheet step by step.

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🔹 Understanding the Concepts

- Denotation: The literal, dictionary definition of a word.
- Connotation: The emotional or cultural meaning associated with a word — whether it feels positive, negative, or neutral.

We are asked to determine the connotation of each word:
- Write (–) if the word has a negative connotation
- Write (+) if it has a positive connotation
- Write (N) if it is neutral

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Now let’s analyze each pair of words:

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1. lazy vs relaxed

- Lazy: Suggests not working, lacking effort → Negative connotation → (–)
- Relaxed: Calm, at ease → Positive connotation → (+)

✔ Answer:
1. lazy (–)
relaxed (+)

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2. determine vs stubborn

- Determine: To decide or establish something → Neutral (just a fact-based action) → (N)
- Stubborn: Refusing to change opinion, often seen as inflexible → Negative connotation → (–)

✔ Answer:
2. determine (N)
stubborn (–)

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3. drug vs remedy

- Drug: Can refer to medicine, but often implies illegal substances → Negative connotation → (–)
- Remedy: A cure or treatment → Positive connotation → (+)

✔ Answer:
3. drug (–)
remedy (+)

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4. clever vs sneaky

- Clever: Smart, intelligent → Positive connotation → (+)
- Sneaky: Secretive, deceptive → Negative connotation → (–)

✔ Answer:
4. clever (+)
sneaky (–)

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5. pretty vs gorgeous

- Pretty: Attractive in a mild way → Positive connotation → (+)
- Gorgeous: Very beautiful → Strongly positive → (+)

✔ Answer:
5. pretty (+)
gorgeous (+)

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6. grand vs obese

- Grand: Large, impressive → Positive connotation → (+)
- Obese: Excessively fat → Negative connotation → (–)

✔ Answer:
6. grand (+)
obese (–)

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7. old vs antique

- Old: Simply means not new → Neutral → (N)
- Antique: Old and valuable, often admired → Positive connotation → (+)

✔ Answer:
7. old (N)
antique (+)

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8. curious vs nosy

- Curious: Wanting to learn → Positive connotation → (+)
- Nosy: Intruding into others’ business → Negative connotation → (–)

✔ Answer:
8. curious (+)
nosy (–)

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9. make vs create

- Make: General term for producing something → Neutral → (N)
- Create: Implies imagination, originality → Positive connotation → (+)

✔ Answer:
9. make (N)
create (+)

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10. weird vs unique

- Weird: Strange, odd, often in a bad way → Negative connotation → (–)
- Unique: One-of-a-kind, special → Positive connotation → (+)

✔ Answer:
10. weird (–)
unique (+)

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11. criticize vs evaluate

- Criticize: Express disapproval → Negative connotation → (–)
- Evaluate: Assess or judge fairly → Neutral (can be positive or negative, but generally objective) → (N)

✔ Answer:
11. criticize (–)
evaluate (N)

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12. snooty vs refined

- Snooty: Arrogant, looking down on others → Negative connotation → (–)
- Refined: Polished, elegant → Positive connotation → (+)

✔ Answer:
12. snooty (–)
refined (+)

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✔ Final Answers:

| # | Word | Connotation |
|---|------------|-------------|
| 1 | lazy | (–) |
| | relaxed | (+) |
| 2 | determine | (N) |
| | stubborn | (–) |
| 3 | drug | (–) |
| | remedy | (+) |
| 4 | clever | (+) |
| | sneaky | (–) |
| 5 | pretty | (+) |
| | gorgeous | (+) |
| 6 | grand | (+) |
| | obese | (–) |
| 7 | old | (N) |
| | antique | (+) |
| 8 | curious | (+) |
| | nosy | (–) |
| 9 | make | (N) |
| | create | (+) |
|10 | weird | (–) |
| | unique | (+) |
|11 | criticize | (–) |
| | evaluate | (N) |
|12 | snooty | (–) |
| | refined | (+) |

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📝 Summary Explanation

This exercise helps students understand that the same idea can be expressed with different words that carry different emotional tones. For example:
- “Relaxed” is positive; “lazy” is negative — both describe someone not active.
- “Create” suggests creativity; “make” is more neutral.
- “Unique” is praised; “weird” is often criticized.

Recognizing connotation improves reading comprehension and writing style.

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✔ Total: 12 pairs = 24 answers
You would fill in the blanks accordingly.

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