Shades of Meaning is a free printable Grade 3 English worksheet on distinguishing words that are close but not the same, aligned to Common Core standard L.3.5. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 10 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

One paper per pupil

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Shades of Meaning

L.3.5

NameDate

Tick the right answer.

1.Which word means nearly the same as "grim"?

A.vanish
B.stern
C.reveal

2.Which word means nearly the same as "peculiar"?

A.scarce
B.flimsy
C.odd

3.Which word means nearly the same as "fierce"?

A.modern
B.savage
C.proceed

4.Which word means nearly the same as "enormous"?

A.deep
B.vast
C.ignore

5.Which word means nearly the same as "reluctant"?

A.suddenly
B.hesitant
C.tiny

6.Which word means nearly the same as "drenched"?

A.cheerful
B.gentle
C.soaked

7.Which word means nearly the same as "hesitate"?

A.ignore
B.modern
C.pause

8.Which word means nearly the same as "murmur"?

A.hum
B.deep
C.cheerful

LessonPrint · L.3.5 · Set 10 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Shades of Meaning

Set 10. Prints on its own sheet.

1.stern
2.odd
3.savage
4.vast
5.hesitant
6.soaked
7.pause
8.hum

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.3.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.