All four words describe a person who asks many questions. Which one shows the writer approves? 'The new reporter was ___ about every detail.'

All four words mean sure of oneself. Which one would a writer choose to praise a young pilot? 'The young pilot seemed ___ at the controls.'

All four words describe someone who will not change course. Which one signals disapproval? 'Her partner stayed ___ throughout the meeting.'

All four words describe a person who is careful with money. Which one is a compliment? 'Grandma has always been ___.'

All four nouns name a smell. Which one tells the reader the bakery smell is pleasant? 'A warm ___ drifted from the bakery.'

All four nouns name a large group of people. Which one makes the group sound dangerous? 'A ___ pressed against the stadium gates.'

All four adjectives describe an old desk. Which one presents it as valuable? 'The shop sold an ___ oak desk.'

All four nouns name a plan. Which one hints that the writer distrusts it? 'The council rejected the developer's ___.'

All four adjectives describe a quick mind. Which one suggests the writer finds the lawyer untrustworthy? 'The ___ lawyer found a loophole.'

All four words describe a classmate who keeps to himself. Which one sounds coldest? 'Marcus is ___ at lunch.'

All four adjectives describe a person who talks a great deal. Which one is the most neutral? 'Our neighbor is quite ___.'

All four verbs mean walked. Which one shows the hiker was exhausted? 'She ___ the last mile to camp.'

All four verbs mean looked. Which one makes the onlookers seem rude? 'Shoppers ___ at the stalled parade float.'

All four verbs describe someone finishing a meal. Which one is the most neutral in tone? 'The travelers ___ their sandwiches in two minutes.'

All four verbs mean told an adult about someone's actions. Which one makes him sound childish and petty? 'He ___ on his sister for missing curfew.'

All four verbs mean cried. Which one makes the crying sound noisy and childish? 'The lost child ___ in the corner.'

All four adjectives describe a very active child. Which one shows the writer enjoys her energy? 'The ___ toddler circled the room.'

All four nouns name a person aged fifteen. Which one sounds the most formal and official? 'The report described the driver as a ___.'

All four terms describe a car that has had a previous owner. Which one would a dealership choose to sound positive? 'Ask about our ___ sedans.'

All four adjectives describe a dinner with a great deal of spending. Which one sounds admiring? 'The hosts served a ___ dinner.'

All four nouns name a person who leads a group. Which one suggests the group was up to no good? 'Teachers identified the ___ of the prank.'

All four adjectives describe someone who gives orders. Which one criticizes her? 'The team captain can be ___.'

All four adjectives describe a worker who moves slowly. Which one is unflattering? 'The clerk was ___ at the counter.'

All four nouns name a disagreement between two people. Which one makes it sound petty? 'Their ___ over the remote lasted all evening.'

All four verbs mean told others something private. Which one shows the writer disapproves? 'He ___ the surprise before dinner.'

All four nouns name the building where a family lives. Which one carries the warmest feeling? 'They finally returned to their ___.'

All four adjectives describe someone who changes his mind easily. Which one is an insult? 'Voters called the mayor ___.'

All four terms name a person who works very long hours. Which one sounds like a warning rather than praise? 'Her family calls her a ___.'

All four nouns name a copy of a designer bag. Which one signals that the writer thinks poorly of it? 'The stall sold a ___.'

All four adjectives describe a low price. Which one would an advertiser choose? 'Shop our ___ winter coats.'

All four adjectives describe something unlike anything else. Which one is a compliment? 'The band has a ___ sound.'

All four adjectives compare an adult to a child. Which one is meant kindly? 'His ___ delight in the first snow made everyone smile.'

All four adjectives describe a cabin far from other houses. Which one sounds inviting? 'They rented a ___ cabin by the lake.'

All four verbs mean asked for something. Which one is the most polite? 'The customer ___ a refund.'

All four verbs mean laughed. Which one shows the laughter was mocking? 'Two students ___ during his speech.'

All four adjectives describe writing full of strong feeling. Which one praises the essay? 'The editor called the essay ___.'

All four verbs describe changing a public position. Which one treats the senator most respectfully? 'After reading the report, she ___.'

All four verbs mean walked. Which one presents the athlete as confident rather than conceited? 'He ___ onto the field.'

In vocabulary study, a word's denotation is best described as which of the following?

Which pair of words shares a denotation but differs sharply in connotation?