New
New
Year 3

Rich vocabulary associated with shy or uncertain words

I can use the words 'diffident', 'hesitant' and 'reticent' effectively in multiple contexts.

New
New
Year 3

Rich vocabulary associated with shy or uncertain words

I can use the words 'diffident', 'hesitant' and 'reticent' effectively in multiple contexts.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. 'Diffident' is an adjective which means modest or shy.
  2. 'Hesitant' is an adjective which means nervous or uncertain.
  3. 'Reticent' is an adjective which means shy and reserved.

Keywords

  • Noun - a naming word for people, places or things

  • Adjective - a word that describes a noun

  • Synonym - a word that has the same or similar meaning to another word

  • Word pair - words that often appear together

Common misconception

These words are very similar and can often be used interchangeably.

These words have subtle differences in meaning and usage and are used in different contexts; so one can't always be replaced by another.

Some of the synonyms and word pairs will need to be explained. For example, temperament and modest. Ensure pupils understand the meaning of these words.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which image represents the word 'conceited'?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q2.
Which image represents the word 'presumptuous'?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q3.
Which image represents the word 'unflappable'?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q4.
Select the correct definition for 'conceited'.
cool, calm and collected
overconfident, arrogant or rude
Correct answer: vain or proud
Q5.
Select the correct definition for 'presumptuous'.
cool, calm and collected
Correct answer: overconfident, arrogant or rude
vain or proud
Q6.
Select the correct definition of 'unflappable'.
Correct answer: cool, calm and collected
overconfident, arrogant or rude
vain or proud
Q1 image 1 Mrs Wordsmith Q1 image 2 Mrs Wordsmith Q1 image 3 Mrs Wordsmith Q2 image 1 Mrs Wordsmith Q2 image 2 Mrs Wordsmith Q2 image 3 Mrs Wordsmith Q3 image 1 Mrs Wordsmith Q3 image 2 Mrs Wordsmith Q3 image 3 Mrs Wordsmith

6 Questions

Q1.
What adjective does this image represent?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: hesitant
diffident
reticent
Q2.
What adjective does this image represent?
An image in a quiz
hesitant
Correct answer: diffident
reticent
Q3.
Match the word with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:hesitant,nervous or uncertain

nervous or uncertain

Correct Answer:diffident,modest or shy

modest or shy

Correct Answer:reticent,shy and reserved

shy and reserved

Q4.
Which word pair makes sense with 'hesitant'?
Correct answer: beginner
stomp
jelly
Q5.
Which word pair makes sense with 'diffident'?
Correct answer: smile
teeth
eyes
Q6.
Which word pair makes sense with 'reticent'?
Correct answer: individual
park
building
Q1 Mrs Wordsmith Q2 Mrs Wordsmith