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      More rich vocabulary associated with shy or uncertain words

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use the words 'self-conscious', 'sheepish' and 'wary' effectively in multiple contexts.

      Key learning points

      1. 'Self-conscious' is an adjective which means overly aware of yourself.
      2. 'Sheepish' is an adjective which means shy, ashamed or uncomfortable.
      3. 'Wary' is an adjective which means careful or cautious.

      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

      • Suffix - a letter or group of letters at the end of a word which creates another word

      Common misconception

      Pupils might think the words can be used interchangeably.

      Use the word pairs to help pupils see and hear the words in nuanced contexts.

      Teacher tip

      It is important for pupils to read the new vocabulary out loud with the word pairs to help them commit the words to memory.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which image represents the word 'hesitant'?

      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 'reticent'?

      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 'diffident'?

      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 'hesitant'.

      Correct answer: nervous or uncertain
      shy and reserved
      modest or shy

      Q5.
      Select the correct definition for 'reticent'.

      proud or vain
      Correct answer: shy and reserved
      clumsy or sloppy

      Q6.
      Select the correct definition for 'diffident'.

      hypnotic and bewitching
      large or stocky
      Correct answer: modest or shy
      Q1 image 1 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q1 image 2 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q1 image 3 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q2 image 1 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q2 image 2 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q2 image 3 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q3 image 1 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q3 image 2 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q3 image 3 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What adjective does this image represent?

      An image in a quiz
      self-conscious
      diffident
      Correct answer: wary

      Q2.
      What adjective does this image represent?

      An image in a quiz
      colossal
      Correct answer: sheepish
      flawless

      Q3.
      What adjective describes Armie in this picture?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: self-conscious
      sheepish
      wary

      Q4.
      Which of the following are word pairs of 'wary'?

      Correct answer: animal
      Correct answer: distance
      pencil
      truth
      map

      Q5.
      Write the missing word to complete the sentence. Oz made a __________ apology for burping in class because she was so embarrassed.

      conceited
      Correct answer: sheepish
      wary

      Q6.
      Write the missing word to complete the sentence. After a __________ glance under the bed, the child realised that there weren’t any monsters there.

      self-conscious
      sheepish
      Correct answer: wary
      Q1 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q2 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q3 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023

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