Question

Which sentence/phrase is BEST to cite for author's word choices that suggest positive connotations?

Answer 1

I believe the answer is: C)  

Hiawatha...was probably based on a real person, a peaceful hero who helped to unite the Iroquois people hundreds of years ago.

This is because since a connotation means an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning, and the history behind "Hiawatha" that is shown above is about a good event. Therefore a positive connotation.

Answer 2

C)  Hiawatha...was probably based on a real person, a peaceful hero who helped to unite the Iroquois people hundreds of years ago.

Many words often have two meanings, a denotative meaning and a connotative meaning. Denotative meanings of words are the dictionary definitions of the words. The connotative meanings are a secondary more figurative meaning that can also show an emotion or feeling. Words that have positive connotations give the sentence or passage a positive mood or tone. In this sentence, the words "peaceful" and "unite" give the reader a sense of positivity and suggest positive connotations.

Option D does the complete opposite with the words "seldom" and "hostile". Options A and B have very neutral words.