Guided Practice Activity: Euphemisms (15 Marks)
Instructions: Work individually to complete the following tasks. You will be provided with a
list of mixed euphemisms and direct terms. Your task is to categorize these terms by topic
and then provide the direct term for each euphemism.
List of Mixed Terms:
Passed away
18.Terminated
1. Old
19.Powder room
2. Economically disadvantaged
20.Over the hill
3. Fired
21.Differently abled
4. Restroom
22.In his/her golden years
5. Senior moment
23.Laid off
6. Departed
24.No longer with us
7. Broke
25.Going through a rough patch
8. Downsized
26.Hair challenged
9. Lavatory
27.Handicapped
10.Pre-owned
28.Passed on
11.Mature
29.Between jobs
12.Needing a career change
30.Deceased
13.Under the weather
31.Short of funds
14.Financially challenged
32.Bathroom
15.Unemployed
33.Cognitively impaired
16.Used
34.Let go
17.A little thin on top
Task:
1. Categorize the terms: Organize the list above into categories based on the topic they
relate to (e.g., Death, Money, Age, Employment, Health, Physical Appearance, Disabilities,
etc.).
2. Provide direct terms: For each euphemism, write down the direct, less delicate term it
replaces.
Memo/Answer Key:
1. Death:
• Passed away (Died)
• Departed (Died)
• No longer with us (Dead)
• Passed on (Died)
• Deceased (Dead)
2. Money/Financial Situation:
• Economically disadvantaged (Poor)
• Financially challenged (Poor/Broke)
• Going through a rough patch (Having financial difficulties)
• Short of funds (Lacking money)
• Broke (Having no money)
3. Age:
• Old (Old)
• Senior moment (Memory lapse due to age)
• Mature (Old/Elderly)
• Over the hill (Old)
• In his/her golden years (Old/Elderly)
4. Employment:
• Fired (Fired)
• Downsized (Fired/Laid off)
• Needing a career change (Unemployed)
• Terminated (Fired)
• Laid off (Laid off)
• Unemployed (Unemployed)
• Between jobs (Unemployed)
• Let go (Fired)
5. Health:
• Under the weather (Sick)
• Cognitively impaired (Mentally disabled/ill)
6. Physical Appearance:
• A little thin on top (Balding)
• Hair challenged (Balding)
7. Disabilities:
• Differently abled (Disabled)
• Handicapped (Disabled)
8. Bodily Functions:
• Restroom (Toilet/Bathroom)
• Lavatory (Toilet/Bathroom)
• Powder room (Toilet/Bathroom)
• Bathroom (Toilet/Bathroom)
Marking Scheme (15 Marks Total):
• 1 mark per correctly categorized topic (up to 8 marks maximum, some categories can be
combined)
• 1 mark per correctly identified direct term for each euphemism (up to 7 marks maximum,
as there are some overlaps in categories)
This guided practice activity allows students to explore the concept of euphemisms in a
practical way, strengthening their understanding of how language can be used to soften or
avoid difficult topics. The memo provides a clear answer key for assessment.