Question

#3b connotation and denotation practice
name luis vicente
connotation is the meaning of a word based on how it is used and its emotional and social associations.
exercise 1 – look at each of the statements and fill in the chart as directed.

sentence	general meaning	situation where this word is appropriate
annette was amazed.
annette was astonished.

exercise 2 – look at the pairs of words below. circle one in each pair that has the most favorable connotation.
thrifty/ penny-pinching pushy/ aggressive chef/ cook slender/skinny cheap/inexpensive
since everyone reacts emotionally to certain words, writers often deliberately select words that they think will influence your reactions and appeal to your emotions. read the definition below.
cock roach (kok roch), n. any of an order of nocturnal insects, usually brown with flattened oval bodies, some species of which are household pests inhabiting kitchens, areas around water pipes, etc. spanish cucaracha
what does the word cockroach mean to you? _______________________
is a cockroach merely an insect or is it also a household nuisance and disgusting creature? explain.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
exercise 3 – read the following poems about cockroaches and answer the questions that follow.
roaches--peter wild
last night when i got up to let the dog out i spied
a cockroach in the bathroom crouched flat on the cool porcelain,
delicate antennae probing the toothpaste cap
and feasting himself on a gob of it in the bowl:
i killed him with one unprofessional blow,
scattering arms and legs and half his body in the sink...
i would have no truck with roaches, crouched like lions in the ledges of sewers
their black eyes in the darkness alert for tasty slime,
breeding quickly and without design, laboring up drainpipes through filth to the light;
i read once they are among the most antediluvian of creatures,
surviving everything, and in more primitive times thrived to the size of your hand...
yet when sinking asleep or craning at the stars, i can feel their light feet probing in my veins,
their whiskers nibbling the insides of my toes; and neck arched,
feel their patient scrambling up the dark tubes of my throat.
write your reaction (using complete sentences) to the poem in the space below:

Answer:

Exercise 1

Annette was surprised.

• General Meaning: Experiencing a feeling of unexpectedness or startlement.
• Situation: When something happens that Annette didn't anticipate, like a friend showing up unannounced.

Annette was amazed.

• General Meaning: Filled with wonder or astonishment, often at something impressive.
• Situation: When Annette sees a beautiful sunset or an amazing magic trick.

Annette was astonished.

• General Meaning: Extremely surprised, often in a way that leaves one speechless.
• Situation: When Annette hears some shocking news, like winning a large prize unexpectedly.

Exercise 2

• thrifty / penny - pinching: Circle "thrifty". "Thrifty" has a positive connotation, meaning someone is careful with money in a good way. "Penny - pinching" has a negative connotation, implying someone is overly stingy with money.
• pushy / aggressive: Circle "aggressive" (in a context where being assertive is seen as positive, but if we strictly go for favorable, "aggressive" is less negative than "pushy". "Pushy" implies being overly insistent in an annoying way, while "aggressive" can mean being forceful in a more neutral or sometimes positive (in business or sports contexts) way).
• chef / cook: Circle "chef". "Chef" has a more professional and positive connotation, suggesting a skilled and trained culinary professional, while "cook" is a more general term.
• slender / skinny: Circle "slender". "Slender" has a positive connotation, meaning gracefully thin, while "skinny" can have a negative connotation, implying being too thin in an unattractive way.
• cheap / inexpensive: Circle "inexpensive". "Inexpensive" has a positive connotation, meaning something costs a reasonable or low amount, while "cheap" can imply low quality as well as low cost.

Question about cockroach's meaning

• What does the word cockroach mean to you? : To me, a cockroach is a small, brown, oval - shaped insect. But it also has negative connotations, like being a pest that invades homes, especially kitchens and areas around water pipes, and is often seen as disgusting.
• Is a cockroach merely an insect or is it also a household nuisance and disgusting creature? Explain. : A cockroach is both an insect (by its biological classification) and a household nuisance and disgusting creature. Biologically, it belongs to an order of nocturnal insects. But in a household context, it is a nuisance because it invades living spaces, can carry germs, and its presence is often considered disgusting due to its association with dirt and filth, as well as its appearance.

Reaction to the poem "Roaches" by Peter Wild

The poem "Roaches" presents a complex view of cockroaches. At first, the speaker describes a cockroach in the bathroom, feasting on toothpaste, and then killing it. This shows the common human reaction of seeing cockroaches as pests to be eliminated. Then, the poem goes on to describe cockroaches in sewers, breeding quickly, and being among the most ancient of creatures, surviving everything. This makes me think about the resilience of cockroaches, even though they are seen as pests. The last part, where the speaker feels the cockroaches probing in his veins and nibbling his toes, creates a sense of unease and shows how deeply the fear or revulsion of cockroaches can affect a person, even when they are not physically present. Overall, the poem makes me reflect on the dual nature of cockroaches - as a biological entity that has survived for a long time and as a creature that is often despised by humans.