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      More rich vocabulary associated with cold words

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use the words 'frosty', 'numbing' and 'penetrating' effectively in multiple contexts.

      Key learning points

      1. 'Frosty' is an adjective which means freezing or icy.
      2. 'Numbing' is an adjective which means ice-cold or freezing.
      3. 'Penetrating' is an adjective which means piercing or sharp.

      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

      • Etymology - the study of the origin of words and the ways their meanings have changed over time

      Common misconception

      Pupils might find it difficult to understand how a 'stare' or a 'silence' could be described as 'frosty'.

      Ensure pupils understand that 'frosty' can also be used to describe something as 'unwelcoming'.

      Teacher tip

      You could discuss how positive/ negative each word is. Numbing is an interesting one because numbing cold might seem like a negative thing and yet it would be a good thing to have some numbing cream ahead of an injection.

      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 brisk?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q2.
      Which image represents the word biting?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q3.
      Which image represents the word excruciating?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q4.
      Select the correct definition of brisk.

      extremely painful
      Correct answer: sharp or crisp
      bitter cold or harsh

      Q5.
      Select the correct definition of biting.

      extremely painful
      sharp or crisp
      Correct answer: bitter cold or harsh

      Q6.
      Select the correct definition of excruciating.

      Correct answer: extremely painful
      sharp or crisp
      bitter cold or harsh
      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
      Correct answer: frosty
      blustery
      crisp

      Q2.
      What adjective does this image represent?

      An image in a quiz
      gust
      scorching
      Correct answer: numbing

      Q3.
      What adjective does this image represent?

      An image in a quiz
      frosty
      numbing
      Correct answer: penetrating

      Q4.
      Match each word to its word pair.

      Correct Answer:frosty,silence

      silence

      Correct Answer:penetrating,voice

      voice

      Correct Answer:numbing,injection

      injection

      Q5.
      Which of the following adjectives might you use to describe an odour?

      Correct answer: penetrating
      frosty
      numbing

      Q6.
      Which word would you use in the following sentence? 'The audience’s __________ stares made it clear that they didn’t find the comedian very funny.

      numbing
      Correct answer: frosty
      brisk
      Q1 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q2 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q3 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023

      To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: More rich vocabulary associated with cold words, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...