Which of the words in parenthesis in the following sentences is most likely to convey a denotative main?

A. What (time) did he call?
B. Do you know what the (owl) signifies?
C. Deliver the (goods) soon, or else
D. The recipe calls for one pint of (cream).

Answer is "B"

To determine which word in parenthesis is most likely to convey a denotative meaning, we need to understand the definition of denotative and how it relates to the given sentences.

Denotative refers to the literal or dictionary meaning of a word. In contrast, connotative meaning refers to the emotional or associative meanings that a word may have. The denotative meaning represents the direct interpretation of a word, devoid of any subjective or cultural influences.

Looking at the given sentences:
A. "What (time) did he call?"
B. "Do you know what the (owl) signifies?"
C. "Deliver the (goods) soon, or else."
D. "The recipe calls for one pint of (cream)."

Sentence B, "Do you know what the (owl) signifies?" is most likely to convey a denotative meaning. The word "owl" generally refers to a nocturnal bird of prey, and this denotative meaning is likely to be the primary intention in the sentence.

In contrast, the words in the other sentences have more connotative meanings.

In sentence A, "time" could refer to a specific moment or duration, but it can also have broader associations related to punctuality or importance.

In sentence C, "goods" can encompass a wide range of items, including tangible products, belongings, or even services.

In sentence D, "cream" can denote a specific dairy product, but it can also have culinary or grooming-related connotations.

Therefore, the word in parenthesis in sentence B, "owl," is most likely to convey a denotative meaning.