Determine Figurative and Technical Word Meanings - 6th Grade Reading

What is denotation?

A word's literal dictionary meaning. The objective, neutral definition without emotional associations.
Which meaning of "table" fits: "The report includes a table of results"?

An organized chart of information. Academic context indicates data display, not furniture.
What is connotation?

The feelings or associations a word suggests. The emotional or cultural meanings beyond the literal definition.
Identify the technical meaning of "cell" in: "The cell membrane controls what enters the cell."

The basic unit of living things. In biology, "cell" refers to life's fundamental unit.
Which context clue type shows meaning by contrasting a word with its opposite?

Contrast (antonym) clue. Uses words like "but" or "unlike" to show opposite meaning.
Identify the best meaning of "draft" in: "Scientists published a draft of the report for review."

An unfinished version of a document. Context shows it's a preliminary version, not final.
What does it mean to determine a word's meaning using context clues in an informational text?

Use nearby words and ideas to infer the word's meaning. Context clues are surrounding words that help reveal meaning.
Which context clue type uses signal words like "is," "means," or "refers to"?

Definition clue. Directly states what the term means in the text.
Identify the connotation of "slender" in "a slender chance": positive, negative, or neutral?

Negative. "Slender" here means slim/small, suggesting unlikely success.
What is figurative language?

Words used nonliterally to create meaning or effect. Figurative language goes beyond literal interpretation for effect.
Identify the figurative meaning in: "After the loss, the team was crushed."

They felt deeply upset or disappointed. "Crushed" figuratively means emotionally devastated.
Which context clue type uses a comparison word such as "like" or "similar"?

Comparison clue. Shows similarity between known and unknown terms.
Identify the figurative meaning in: "The evidence shed light on the mystery."

It made the mystery clearer or easier to understand. "Shed light" figuratively means to clarify or reveal.
Which context clue type uses a list of examples to reveal a word's meaning?

Example clue. Specific instances help clarify the general term.
What is context clue meaning in informational text?

Nearby words or sentences that help define an unknown word. Surrounding text provides hints to understand unfamiliar terms.
Which connotation is most positive: "slim," "skinny," or "scrawny"?

Slim. "Slim" suggests attractiveness; "skinny" and "scrawny" imply unhealthy thinness.
Which strategy best helps you confirm a word's meaning in a text after inferring it?

Check that the meaning fits the sentence and topic. Substitute your inferred meaning to verify it makes sense.
Identify the figurative meaning of "The evidence sealed his fate."

The evidence made the outcome certain. "Sealed" figuratively means "determined" or "made inevitable."
Which option best describes a simile?

A comparison using like or as. Makes comparisons explicit with connecting words.
What is the difference between denotation and connotation?

Denotation is literal meaning; connotation is implied feeling. Connotation adds emotional associations beyond literal meaning.
Identify the best meaning of "table" in: "The data table shows rainfall totals by month."

An organized chart of information. In data contexts, "table" means organized data display.
Which meaning of "volume" fits: "The cube's volume is $8$ cubic units"?

The amount of space an object occupies. Mathematical context indicates measurement, not sound level.
What is a connotation of a word?

The feeling or association a word suggests. Words carry emotional weight beyond their literal meaning.
Which word has the more positive connotation: "childlike" or "childish"?

Childlike. "Childlike" suggests innocence; "childish" implies immaturity.
In an article about electricity, what does "current" most likely mean?

The flow of electric charge. Technical meaning differs from everyday "current" (present time).
Which word has the more negative connotation: "childish" or "youthful"?

Childish. "Childish" implies immature; "youthful" suggests fresh/energetic.
Which context clue type uses examples to reveal a word's meaning?

Example clue. Examples illustrate the word's meaning through specific instances.
Which context clue type uses similar words or phrases to help define an unknown word?

Synonym clue. Words with similar meanings provide clues to the unknown word.
Which meaning of "charge" fits: "The particle has a negative charge"?

An electrical property (electricity term). Scientific context indicates physics meaning, not cost or attack.
Which context clue type uses "because," "so," or "therefore" to show why?

Cause-and-effect clue. Links the term to its results or reasons.
Which option best describes a metaphor?

A direct comparison without using like or as. States one thing IS another for comparison ("Life is a journey").
Which context clue type uses a direct definition in the sentence?

Definition (or restatement) clue. The text directly states or restates the word's meaning.
In government, what does the technical term "amendment" mean?

An official change or addition to a law or constitution. Legal term for formal modifications to founding documents.
Choose the best meaning of "draft" in: "The committee reviewed the draft policy."

An early version of a document. Context indicates preliminary version, not military conscription or wind.
Choose the best meaning of "significant" in: "The study found a significant increase in rainfall."

Important or large enough to matter. In research, "significant" means meaningful or noteworthy.
Which context clue type shows a word's meaning by contrasting it with an opposite idea?

Contrast (antonym) clue. Opposite ideas help define by showing what the word is not.
Identify the figurative meaning of "Her idea sparked a debate."

Her idea started a debate. "Sparked" figuratively means "initiated" or "triggered."
What is a technical meaning of a word in informational text?

A specialized meaning used in a specific subject or field. Technical terms have precise meanings within specific disciplines.
Which connotation is most negative: "determined," "stubborn," or "persistent"?

Stubborn. "Stubborn" implies unreasonable inflexibility, unlike the neutral alternatives.
Identify the technical meaning of "volume" in: "The volume of the liquid was measured in milliliters."

The amount of space a substance occupies. In science, "volume" measures three-dimensional space.
In a geometry text, what does "plane" most likely mean?

A flat surface extending in all directions. Mathematical term, not an airplane or flat tool.
What is a denotation of a word?

Its literal dictionary definition. The objective, neutral meaning without emotional associations.
Which context clue type uses nearby words to define an unfamiliar term directly?

Definition clue. The text explicitly states what the word means.
Identify the figurative meaning of "The plan gained traction."

The plan began to succeed or attract support. "Gained traction" means building momentum, like tires gripping road.
Identify the best meaning of "draft" in: "The cold draft made the room uncomfortable."

A current of air. Context indicates moving air causing discomfort.
Which word has the more negative connotation: "slim" or "skinny"?

Skinny. "Skinny" implies unattractively thin, unlike neutral "slim."
What does it mean to determine a word's meaning "as used in a text"?

Use context to choose the meaning that fits the passage. Words can have multiple meanings; context determines which one applies.
What is a technical meaning of a word?

A specialized meaning used in a subject or field. Academic or professional terms with precise definitions.
Which meaning of "draft" fits: "The draft from the window made the room cold"?

A current of air. Context shows moving air, not a preliminary version.
Which context clue type shows what a word means by comparing it to something similar?

Comparison (similarity) clue. Uses words like "like" or "similar to" to show meaning.
Which context clue type helps you infer meaning from the situation, not a direct definition?

Inference (general context) clue. You deduce meaning from surrounding context, not explicit clues.
What is a technical meaning of a word?

A specialized meaning used in a specific field. Subject-specific vocabulary with precise meanings in that field.
Which context clue type lists examples after a term, often using "such as"?

Example clue. Provides specific instances to clarify the general term.
Which phrase is figurative in "After the loss, her world was shattered"?

"her world was shattered". Worlds don't literally break; this expresses emotional devastation.
In science, what does the technical word "density" mean?

Mass per unit volume. Calculated as $\frac{mass}{volume}$ in scientific contexts.
Identify the meaning of "resistant" in: "The material is resistant to heat, so it does not burn easily."

Able to withstand; not easily harmed by something. Context clue "does not burn easily" defines the term.
Which option best describes personification?

Giving human traits to nonhuman things. Makes objects or animals seem human ("The wind whispered").

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