English Vocabulary Test! Diction trivia Quiz

1. Choose a word that would provide stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence below: "Well, it's official. The entire school has the flu," the nurse said.

Stammered

Declared

Narrated

Chanted

The word "declared" provides stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence because it conveys a sense of authority and certainty. By using "declared," the nurse is making a formal and definitive statement about the entire school having the flu. The word "stammered" would suggest hesitancy or uncertainty, "narrated" would imply a detailed storytelling, and "chanted" would indicate a repetitive and rhythmic manner of speaking, none of which accurately convey the nurse's confident announcement.

Explanation

The word "declared" provides stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence because it conveys a sense of authority and certainty. By using "declared," the nurse is making a formal and definitive statement about the entire school having the flu. The word "stammered" would suggest hesitancy or uncertainty, "narrated" would imply a detailed storytelling, and "chanted" would indicate a repetitive and rhythmic manner of speaking, none of which accurately convey the nurse's confident announcement.

2. Choose a word that would provide stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence below: "Please, oh please, let Darrell recover from the yellow fever," Dionta said.

Informed

Prayed

Whined

Mentioned

The word "prayed" provides stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence because it conveys a sense of urgency and desperation. Dionta is pleading and begging for Darrell's recovery from yellow fever, showing the intensity of their emotions and the importance of the situation.

Explanation

The word "prayed" provides stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence because it conveys a sense of urgency and desperation. Dionta is pleading and begging for Darrell's recovery from yellow fever, showing the intensity of their emotions and the importance of the situation.

3. Choose a word that would provide stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence below: "Ugh, I guess we can go to the candy store before the other errands," said.

Screamed

Exclaimed

Cried

Sighed

The word "sighed" provides stronger diction for the underlined word because it conveys a sense of resignation or disappointment. It suggests that the speaker is expressing their reluctance or annoyance about going to the candy store before completing the other errands.

Explanation

The word "sighed" provides stronger diction for the underlined word because it conveys a sense of resignation or disappointment. It suggests that the speaker is expressing their reluctance or annoyance about going to the candy store before completing the other errands.

4. Choose a word that would provide stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence below: "Excuse me, please stop tapping my chair," Marissa said softly.

Stated

Howled

Whispered

Cajoled

The word "whispered" provides stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence because it conveys a softer and more discreet tone compared to the other options. "Stated" and "howled" imply a louder and more assertive tone, while "cajoled" suggests a persuasive or coaxing tone. "Whispered" accurately reflects the soft and gentle manner in which Marissa asked the person to stop tapping her chair.

Explanation

The word "whispered" provides stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence because it conveys a softer and more discreet tone compared to the other options. "Stated" and "howled" imply a louder and more assertive tone, while "cajoled" suggests a persuasive or coaxing tone. "Whispered" accurately reflects the soft and gentle manner in which Marissa asked the person to stop tapping her chair.

5. Choose a word that would provide stronger diction for the underlined word in the sentence below: "I just don't want to sit by him because I think he copies off my tests," he said.

Promised

Murmured

Yelled

Elaborated

In this sentence, the word "elaborated" provides stronger diction for the underlined word "said" because it suggests that the speaker is providing more detail or expanding on their statement. This implies that the speaker is explaining their reasoning for not wanting to sit by the person who copies off their tests. The word "elaborated" conveys a sense of clarity and thoroughness in the speaker's response.

Explanation

In this sentence, the word "elaborated" provides stronger diction for the underlined word "said" because it suggests that the speaker is providing more detail or expanding on their statement. This implies that the speaker is explaining their reasoning for not wanting to sit by the person who copies off their tests. The word "elaborated" conveys a sense of clarity and thoroughness in the speaker's response.