Name: Waad. M. A.

Alhayek
ID: U18105418

Assignment-1, Fall 2021/2022 (Due Friday 8 October, 2021)

Part A: How do the following lexemes in each pair differ in connotation? Put each lexeme
in a sentence that shows the positive or negative connotation. You can use dictionaries for
definitions and examples, but you should cite all the sources you consult. (12 marks).
Example: aroma, stench (Collins CoBuild Dictionary)
Definition: An aroma is a strong, pleasant smell.
Example: The aroma of freshly baked bread is mouthwatering.
Definition: A stench is a strong and very unpleasant smell.
Example: The stench of burning rubber was sickening.

1. politician, statesman
Definition: A politician is a person primarily interested in political office for selfish
or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons.
Example: They have arrested a number of leading opposition politicians.
Definition: A statesman is an experienced and respected politician or member of a
particular profession.
Example: He was a statesman who opened Hawaii to international relations.

2. cautious, timid
Definition: Caution is paying attention and being careful in order to avoid risk or
possible problems.
Example: They treated the story of his escape with extreme caution.
Definition: Timid is being shy and nervous; without much confidence; easily
frightened.
Example: My dog is a little timid - especially around other dogs.
3. lawyer, shyster
Definition: A lawyer is someone whose job is to give advice to people about the law
and speak for them in court.
Example: Our lawyer thinks that we have a very good case.
Definition: A shyster is a dishonest person, especially a lawyer or politician.
Example: He called Greene a shyster who lied, cheated, and overcharged for work
he didn't do.

4. inquisitive, nosey
Definition: An inquisitive person who’s very interested in learning about many
different things, asking too many questions and trying to find out about what other people are
doing.
Example: The young man possessed a sharp and inquisitive mind.
Definition: A nosey person is unduly curious about the affairs of others; prying;
meddlesome.
Example: He was having to whisper in order to avoid being overheard by their nosey
neighbours.

5. bargain, haggle
Definition: Bargain means something acquired by or as if by negotiating over the
terms of a purchase, agreement, or contract.
Example: We got a bargain on the plane tickets.
Definition: Haggle means to argue about the price of something in an attempt to make
the seller reduce it.
Example: Many car dealers will give you a sizeable discount if you are prepared to
haggle.

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6. sensitive, touchy
Definition: Sensitive is being aware of and able to understand other people and their
feelings, needing to treat with great care.
Example: She is very sensitive to other people's feelings.
Definition: A touchy person is easily upset or offended.
Example: He's a little touchy about his weight.

Part B: Read the sentences below. Write P if the underlined word has a positive
connotation. Write N if the word has a negative connotation. (3 marks)

1. a. Jane and Mary were contenders in the story writing contest. (P)
b. Jane and Mary were rivals in the story writing contest. (N)
2. a. Mary was known for her mysterious plots. (P)
b. Mary was known for her bewildering plots. (N)
3. a. Jane’s characters were ridiculous. (N)
b. Jane’s characters were amusing. (P)
4. a. Jane displayed her large vocabulary. (P)
b. Jane flaunted her large vocabulary. (N)
5. b. Mary’s main character behaved rashly. (N)
b. Mary’s main character behaved boldly. (P)
6. a. Everyone snickered at Mary’s surprise ending. (N)
b. Everyone chuckled at Mary’s surprise ending. (P)

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 REFERENCES:

Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). Haggle. In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved October 8,

2021, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/haggle.

Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). Shyster. In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved October 6,

2021, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/shyster.

Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). Statesman. In Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved October 6,

2021, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/statesman.

Harper Collins Publishers. (n.d.). Nosy definition and meaning: In Collins English Dictionary.

Retrieved October 7, 2021, from

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/nosy

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Bargain. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 8,

2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bargain.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Politician. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 6,

2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politician.

Oxford University Press. (n.d.). Inquisitive. In Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at

OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021, from

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/inquisitive?q+inquisitive.

Oxford University Press. (n.d.). Touchy. In Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at

OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/touchy?q=touchy

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