Reading: Vocabulary in Context (C1)
Lesson 2: Appreciating Stylistic Nuances of Word Choice
Listen to key concepts and examples.
Before You Read 🧠
Key Concepts (Click 🔊)
At a C1 level, we must understand these ideas to master vocabulary.
house = a building for human habitation).home = safety, family, warmth).Denotation vs. Connotation
Understanding nuance starts with separating a word's *dictionary meaning* (denotation) from its *emotional meaning* (connotation). A C1 reader understands both.
Denotation (Dictionary)
House
A building where people live.
Connotation (Feeling)
Home
Safety, family, comfort, warmth, belonging.
An author who writes, "He returned to his house," creates a very different feeling than one who writes, "He returned to his home."
The 3 Dimensions of Nuance
When an author chooses a word, they are considering these three factors.
Two words can have the same denotation but opposite feelings.
Negative (-): "He is very arrogant." (You dislike him.)
The same idea can be said in different ways depending on the social context.
- Informal (with friend): "He's acting childish."
- Neutral (in office): "His behavior is immature."
- Formal (in report): "The subject exhibits juvenile tendencies."
Words can show different levels of strength for the same action.
- Weak: He tapped on the door.
- Medium: He knocked on the door.
- Strong: He pounded on the door.
Reading Passage: Analysis
Read the passage below. Notice the strong, vivid words. What do they imply?
The CEO didn't just walk in; he strode into the conference room, his face like stone. The team presented their plan—the plan they had worked on for weeks. He listened silently, his eyes narrowed. When they finished, he didn't just criticize their idea; he demolished it in less than two minutes. He didn't just say they were sad; the team was left reeling, their confidence completely shattered.
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Analyze the Nuance
Read the sentence and choose the best analysis of the highlighted word's nuance. Click "Check Answers" when done.
1. "The old house wasn't just old; it was decrepit."
Why did the author choose decrepit instead of just old?
2. "He didn't just walk; he sauntered onto the stage."
What nuance does sauntered add to his walk?
3. "The politician's speech made him infamous across the country."
What does the choice of infamous tell you?
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
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Nuance
A very subtle, small difference in meaning, tone, or intensity.
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Denotation
The literal, dictionary definition of a word.
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Connotation
The emotional or cultural idea/feeling a word suggests.
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To Stride (strode)
To walk with long, decisive steps, often implying confidence or power.
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To Demolish
To completely destroy (an argument, a building, etc.).
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To Reel
To feel shocked, confused, or dizzy, as if from a physical blow.
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Decrepit
Worn out or ruined because of age or neglect; falling apart.
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To Saunter
To walk in a slow, relaxed manner, without hurry or effort (can imply confidence or arrogance).
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Infamous
Famous for a bad quality or deed; notorious.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
The Editor's Challenge
Your mission is to think like a C1-level editor.
- Find a simple sentence in a news article (e.g., "The man was sad.").
- Replace the "boring" word with three stronger, more nuanced alternatives.
- In your notebook, write down your 3 new sentences and, for each one, write one sentence explaining the change in nuance.
Example: "The man was sad."
→ Alternative 1: "The man was devastated." (Nuance: This implies total, crushing grief, not just sadness.)
→ Alternative 2: "The man was melancholy." (Nuance: This implies a quiet, thoughtful, and long-lasting sadness.)
→ Alternative 3: "The man was distraught." (Nuance: This implies he is not just sad, but also deeply agitated and distressed.)