Exercices C1 : les nuances d’émotions en anglais

Ces exercices vous aident à affiner votre vocabulaire émotionnel en anglais, en distinguant les nuances subtiles entre des termes proches comme *content* et *elated*, ou *anxious* et *terrified*. À vous de jouer !

→ Voir le cours : Les nuances d’émotions en anglais : cours complet

Exercice 1 — Choisir la nuance exacte

Choisissez le mot qui exprime le mieux l'intensité émotionnelle décrite dans chaque phrase.

1. She didn't just feel sad after the breakup — she was completely ___, unable to eat or sleep for days.
2. He wasn't simply happy about winning the award — he was absolutely ___, jumping around the room.
3. She felt more than just nervous before the surgery; she was genuinely ___ about what might happen.
4. He wasn't really angry, just mildly ___ that they had forgotten to invite him to the meeting.

Correction

1. She was completely heartbroken, unable to eat or sleep for days.
2. He was absolutely ecstatic, jumping around the room.
3. She was genuinely terrified about what might happen.
4. He was just mildly irritated that they had forgotten to invite him to the meeting.

Exercice 2 — Associer l'émotion à sa nuance

Associez chaque émotion de base à l'expression qui en représente une nuance plus précise et plus intense, puis justifiez par une phrase complète.

1. Associez : 'sad' → (a) melancholic / (b) heartbroken / (c) devastated / (d) gloomy — Laquelle décrit une douleur causée spécifiquement par une perte affective profonde ?
2. Associez : 'happy' → (a) content / (b) elated / (c) ecstatic / (d) cheerful — Laquelle exprime un bonheur calme et durable plutôt qu'un enthousiasme intense ?
3. Associez : 'afraid' → (a) uneasy / (b) anxious / (c) petrified / (d) wary — Laquelle décrit une peur si intense qu'elle empêche toute action ?
4. Associez : 'angry' → (a) cross / (b) irritated / (c) furious / (d) livid — Laquelle exprime la colère la plus violente et la plus incontrôlable ?

Correction

1. 'Heartbroken' describes a deep emotional pain caused specifically by the loss of a loved one or a romantic relationship.
2. 'Content' expresses a calm and lasting sense of happiness rather than intense or overwhelming excitement.
3. 'Petrified' describes a fear so intense that it completely paralyses a person and prevents them from taking any action.
4. 'Livid' expresses the most violent and uncontrollable form of anger, often implying a visible, overwhelming rage.

Exercice 3 — Compléter avec la nuance appropriée

Complétez chaque phrase avec le terme émotionnel le plus précis, en tenant compte du contexte et de l'intensité exprimée.

1. After hearing the shocking news about his friend's accident, James felt completely ___ and couldn't find the words to speak.
2. When she finally received her university acceptance letter, Clara was absolutely ___ and called her parents immediately to celebrate.
3. He had been feeling ___ all week — not exactly sad, but with a quiet, persistent sense that something was missing in his life.
4. The children were ___ when they arrived at the theme park, screaming with joy and running towards every ride they could see.

Correction

1. After hearing the shocking news about his friend's accident, James felt completely devastated and couldn't find the words to speak.
2. When she finally received her university acceptance letter, Clara was absolutely elated and called her parents immediately to celebrate.
3. He had been feeling melancholic all week — not exactly sad, but with a quiet, persistent sense that something was missing in his life.
4. The children were overjoyed when they arrived at the theme park, screaming with joy and running towards every ride they could see.