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More rich vocabulary associated with hot words

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can use the words 'searing', 'stifling' and 'sweltering' effectively in multiple contexts.

Key learning points

  1. 'Searing' is an adjective which means burning or scorching.
  2. 'Stifling' is an adjective which means smothering or suffocating.
  3. 'Sweltering' is an adjective which means very hot or baking.

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

Pupils might think only pain related to burning can be described as 'searing'.

Use examples of sentences where 'searing pain' is caused by something other than heat.

Teacher tip

As each of these words starts with the letter 's' and all of them are associated with heat, pupils might think they all mean the same thing. Keep referring back to the word pairs to help children understand their nuanced meanings.

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 clammy?

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 gleaming?

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 oppressive?

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 clammy.

Correct answer: soggy or moist
shining or bright
heavy, harsh, or overpowering

Q5.
Select the correct definition for gleaming.

soggy or moist
Correct answer: shining or bright
heavy, harsh, or overpowering

Q6.
Select the correct definition for oppressive.

soggy or moist
shining or bright
Correct answer: heavy, harsh, or overpowering
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: stifling
howl
gleaming

Q2.
What adjective does this image represent?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: searing
whirlwind
astute

Q3.
What adjective does this image represent?

An image in a quiz
Correct answer: sweltering
panted
sweated

Q4.
Match each word to its word pair.

Correct Answer:sweltering,summer

summer

Correct Answer:stifling,silence

silence

Correct Answer:searing,criticism

criticism

Q5.
Which of the following adjectives might you use to describe a smell?

searing
Correct answer: stifling
sweltering

Q6.
Which word would you use in this sentence? 'As the wasp stung his lip, a __________ pain shot through him.

gleaming
sweltering
Correct answer: searing
Q1 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q2 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023 Q3 © Copyright Mrs Wordsmith 2023

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