Question

Use a dictionary or a thesaurus and work with a partner to rank the five adjectives in the lists below in order of strength of meaning: 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest. Put a number above each adjective.

bright
dazzling
shimmering
shining
gleaming
Options:
a) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
b) 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
c) 2, 3, 1, 4, 5
d) 4, 5, 3, 2, 1

Answer 1

The adjectives in the list can be ranked by intensity as follows: bright (1), shining (2), gleaming (3), shimmering (4), and dazzling (5). The correct order matches option (c), representing the progression from least to most intense brightness.

Step-by-step explanation:

To rank the adjectives in the list (bright, dazzling, shimmering, shining, gleaming) in order of strength of meaning from the lowest (1) to the highest (5), we need to consider the intensity each word suggests regarding light or luster. Based on standard dictionary definitions:

• Bright is the lowest in intensity, referring generally to a substantial amount of light, but not necessarily intense or overwhelming. We assign it 1.
• Shining suggests a steady radiance and would be more intense than simply being bright. We can assign it a 2.
• Gleaming tends to imply a softer kind of brightness, akin to shining but with a more subdued or polished quality. So, it could be a 3.
• Shimmering describes a gentle sparkle or soft glisten, often with a flickering effect, making it more intense than gleaming. We could assign it a 4.
• Finally, Dazzling is the strongest, indicating a brightness that is so intense that it is almost blinding. It deserves a 5.

Therefore, the correct ranking from least to most intense would be: bright (1), shining (2), gleaming (3), shimmering (4), dazzling (5), matching option (c).