English 7 Module - Shades of Meaning

Date : November 23-24, 2016 (Acacia) and November 24-25, 2016 (Almaciga)
Topic : Vocabulary Development: Shades of Meaning

Objectives : Categorize words or expressions according to shades of meaning
Code : EN7V-IIg-10.1.3
Tasks : (1.) Read and understand the discussion about shades of meaning and
(2.) Answer the given activities on a sheet of paper.
Discussion:
Differentiating Between Shades of Meaning
Some words mean almost the same thing but have small differences between the meanings of each.
Understanding the small differences between similar words lets you appreciate the shades of meaning between words or
phrases.
Two words might have a similar meaning, but one word’s meaning might be stronger or more forceful than the
other word’s meaning. For example, sad and miserable both have similar meanings. But the word miserable suggests a
much more powerful feeling than the word sad does.
One way to help understand shades of meaning is to arrange a group of words in a series, or particular order, as
they move from one meaning to a meaning that is stronger or more powerful. The way of placing related words within a
series or particular order to show degrees of intensity is called making a cline (klīn). Look at the following example:
cool → cold → icy → frigid
The word cool suggests a temperature that might feel a bit chilly, but not too bad. As you move to the right, each
word suggests a colder and colder temperature, until you get to frigid, which means very cold, dangerous temperatures.
Now look at the series of words below. The words all involve levels of how certain, or sure, a person is about
something. The shades of meaning move from the least certain to the most certain:
wondered → heard → suspected → believed → knew
Starting at the left, wondered suggests a thought a person has, but there is little certainty to it. The next word, heard,
indicates the information someone has received from someone else, which suggests a bit more certainty. The
word suspected suggests someone has started to accept something as true. The word believed means someone thinks
something is true, but he or she might not be absolutely certain. And knew means a person is certain about something.
Activity 1
Arrange the words inside the box belonging to the same situational environment according to degree of intensity
(you can use your dictionary).
1. Words that have to do with size.
big huge large enormous
2. Words that have to do with temperature.

frigid chilly cold freezing
3. Words that have to do with loudness of sounds.

whisper murmur howl shout
4. Words that have to do with level of thinness.

slim lean scrawny skinny
5. Words that have to do with level of anger.

annoyance fury resentment rage
Activity 2
A. Complete each sequence below. Consider the shades of meaning when putting the words in order.
1. Add the following words in the correct order to the sequence: angry, annoyed, furious.
bothered → _____________ → _____________ → _____________ → enraged
2. Add the following words in the correct order to the sequence: scared, terrified, worried.
concerned → _____________ → _____________ → _____________ → hysterical
3. Add the following words in the correct order to the sequence: joyful, pleased, thrilled.
_____________ → upbeat → happy → _____________ → _____________ →
B. You can better understand shades of meaning by using similar words in context. Read the passage below. After
you read, insert onto each line one of three words listed above the passage. Be sure to consider the shades of
meaning when deciding which word best fits the context of that part of the story.
Doubtful, suspicious, uncertain

When Beth first heard the rumor about the accident, she was
_____________ what to think about it. The next two people who told her
the rumor were people she did not trust. So then she became a bit more
_____________. As more people spread the ridiculous rumor, the more
_____________ she became that the story could be true.
Prepared by:
Alven M. Rey
Teacher I
Checked by:
Dorcas L. Mejia
School Head

English 7 Module - Shades of Meaning

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Date : November 23-24, 2016 (Acacia) and November 24-25, 2016 (Almaciga)

Topic : Vocabulary Development: Shades of Meaning

Differentiating Between Shades of Meaning

2. Words that have to do with temperature.

3. Words that have to do with loudness of sounds.

4. Words that have to do with level of thinness.

5. Words that have to do with level of anger.

bothered → _______ → _ → _______ → enraged

concerned → _______ → _ → _______ → hysterical

_______ → upbeat → happy → _ → _______ →

Doubtful, suspicious, uncertain

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