Words with the same meaning but a different feel

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   The inventor's delight in every new gadget was childlike. Version 2: The inventor's delight in every new gadget was childish. Bo compares the two versions. What separates childlike from childish here?

   • Strength: childish is the stronger word, because it describes a bigger delight than childlike does.
   • What it suggests: childlike praises a fresh, innocent wonder, and childish criticizes behavior that is silly or immature.
   • Nothing: both describe the inventor's delight as like a child's, so the versions mean the same.
   • What it suggests: childish praises a fresh, innocent wonder, and childlike criticizes behavior that is silly or immature.
2. 2.

   The new manager was assertive in meetings. Version 2: The new manager was aggressive in meetings. Esme compares the two versions. What separates assertive from aggressive here?

   • What it suggests: assertive means firm and confident in stating a view, and aggressive means pushy or hostile in forcing it.
   • Setting: assertive belongs to business meetings, and aggressive to any kind of conversation.
   • What it suggests: aggressive means firm and confident in stating a view, and assertive means pushy or hostile in forcing it.
   • Nothing: both say the manager spoke up firmly in meetings, so the two versions mean the same.
3. 3.

   The hikers strolled up the last hill. Version 2: The hikers trudged up the last hill. Jun compares the two versions. What separates strolled from trudged here?

   • Distance: strolled means walking a short way, and trudged means walking a long way.
   • What it suggests: strolled suggests an easy, relaxed pace, and trudged suggests slow, heavy, tiring effort.
   • What it suggests: trudged suggests an easy, relaxed pace, and strolled suggests slow, heavy, tiring effort.
   • Nothing: both say the hikers walked up the last hill, so the two versions mean exactly the same.

4. Read this first

   Details

   The new tenant never complained out loud, but every Saturday he stood at his window and watched the neighbors' leaf blower with a tight jaw.

5. 4.

   Kira reads the details. Which word completes the sentence: The tenant ____ the leaf blower?

   • detested
   • resented
   • ignored
   • tolerated

6. Details

   The clerk's shoes clicked quickly across the lobby, but she paused to hold the elevator for a stranger and never glanced at her watch.

7. 5.

   Milo reads the details. Which word best describes the clerk's pace?

   • leisurely
   • frantic
   • jittery
   • brisk

8. Details

   After the flood, the library's lowest shelf was damp, but every book was dry within a day and the carpet needed only a good vacuuming.

9. 6.

   Noah reads the details. Which word best describes the flood damage?

   • unusual
   • serious
   • minor
   • negligible

10. Sentence

    The council wanted the new fountain to look elegant without looking showy, so it chose a ____ design of plain white stone.

11. 7.

    Pia fills the blank. Which word matches the council's goal?

    • drab
    • austere
    • ordinary
    • understated

12. Sentence

    The audience laughed at the joke, but only politely, the way people laugh to be kind. It was a ____ chuckle.

13. 8.

    Ren fills the blank. Which word matches how the audience reacted?

    • cheerful
    • nervous
    • tepid
    • scornful
14. 9.

    The museum's budget covered repairs and nothing else, with just enough and not a dollar spare. The budget was ____. Tala fills the blank. Which word matches the museum's situation?

    • skimpy
    • tight
    • desperate
    • comfortable

15. Sentence

    Months ago the writer's handwriting was a scramble. Now every letter is formed with care and anyone can read it. The handwriting is now ____.

16. 10.

    Zee fills the blank. Which word matches the change in the handwriting?

    • flawless
    • fussy
    • passable
    • neat