Shades of meaning and formal words for 11 plus English

Words with nearly the same meaning can differ in strength. Put them on a scale: warm, hot, scalding. Pleased, happy, overjoyed. Words also have settings. Formal words suit a letter or a speech: purchase, request, assist. Everyday words suit a chat: buy, ask, help. Right meaning, right strength, right setting.

Steam rose from the scalding tea. Which word is closest to scalding? Scalding is the top of the scale: hot enough to burn. Warm, cosy, mild and lukewarm sit near the bottom. Only burning hot reaches the top. B.

The trap is the right meaning at the wrong strength. Warm is about heat, so it feels close. But warm tea is pleasant, and scalding tea burns. Setting works the same way. Hiya means hello, and it is wrong in a letter to a head teacher.

• 2.1Synonyms and antonymsSame or opposite? Underline it first
• 2.2One word, many meaningsSay what it means here, then match it
• 2.3Prefixes, suffixes and rootsSplit it, then check it
• 2.5IdiomsLearn the whole phrase, then use the clues

Every 11 plus English topic