Highlight the words with strong connotations in this passage.

The gloom inside the house enveloped me as I stepped through the door. All around I could hear stealthy footsteps and ominous creaking. As an unearthly cry filled the room, I let out my own cry of dread.

What effect does the word “dread” have compared to the word “fear” that the writer could have used?

It has a more neutral connotation than “fear.”
It has a more positive connotation than “fear.”
It has a more negative connotation than “fear.”
Its connotation is the same as the word “fear.”

1 answer

The words with strong connotations in the passage are gloom, enveloped, stealthy, ominous, unearthly, dread.

Regarding the effect of the word "dread" compared to "fear," the correct answer is:

It has a more negative connotation than “fear.”

"Dread" suggests a deeper, more intense feeling of apprehension or anxiety, while "fear" can be more general and less intense.