Fiona was guarded about the details of her private life. She would not give her address or phone number to anyone, even her closest school friends.

Question

What are the denotative and connotative meanings of the word guarded in the passage?
A. aware; safe
B. careful; secretive
C. attentive; popular
D. open; inconsiderate

Answer 1

The denotative meaning of "guarded" refers to being careful or cautious about what one reveals or shares. The connotative meaning suggests a sense of secrecy or protectiveness regarding personal information.

Based on this analysis, the best answer would be:

B. careful; secretive