Question

Which pair of words has similar denotations but different connotations?

A. Daring; adventurous
B. Cautious; careful
C. Small; puny
D. Big; large

Answer 1

The correct answer is C. A denotation is the literal meaning of a word, the definition or definitions you find in a dictionary. A connotation refers to the attitudes that people attach to the literal meaning, it is usually positive, negative, or neutral. In the case of "small" and "puny", both have the denotative meaning of tiny size, not big or medium sized. However, while "small" has a neutral connotation, "puny" has a negative one, since it is usually associated to weakness. Also, "puny" is related to the human body, while "small" is far more general. That diference is also related to their connotations

Answer 2

I would say C. Connotations can speak positively or negatively about the denotation. The denotation would be the one that would the one found in the dictionary as the true, valid word. connotation describes the denotation. Look in the dictionary if you truly want to know. I see small as tiny, miniscule-like. Puny just describes  the muscular frame of a person. If I say she was puny looking or if I said she was small, can you see the difference..Puny has a different meaning than small..In my opinion but I do stress to double check