Tone of a Passage

The moment the words were out of my mouth, I wished I could take them back. I didn't mean to hurt Keith's feelings. He is such a nice person, and he certainly doesn't deserve to be treated so poorly. I guess the stress from my job has been more than I can handle. Instead of taking my problems out on him, I need to deal directly with the people who create the stress. If only I didn't care so much what people thought of me at work, then this would not have happened.

The tone of the passage can be described as

• funny

• regretful

• admiring

• sarcastic

Alonzo winked at his mother's shocked gaze and with a smile he said, "sausage and pepperoni pizza for breakfast makes perfect sense. Allow me to demonstrate. You have your tomato. Tomato is technically a fruit. You have your cheese. Cheese is a dairy product. You have your crust… necessary carbs for quick energy in the morning. And don't forget the sausage and the pepperoni… my protein. If you think about it, it is just like bacon and eggs, toast, and orange juice." Still smiling, he added, "really, it is… well, almost." "Why are you looking at me that way?"

The tone of this passage is

• humorous

• sad

• insulting

• angry

Whether you are starting or continuing on the academic road to success, there are a series of markers that will help keep you on the path. First, you must believe. Believe in yourself, believe in others, and believe in the process of life. You are here for a purpose. Second, keep an open mind. Be aware of things that are working and things that are not. Be willing to make changes. Third, know when you need help and be willing to ask for it. There are many people who can assist you; be specific when you ask for help. Fourth, use your resources: people, books, nature, experiences, events, travel-that which is seen and that which is unseen. Fifth, remember who you are and why you are here. Remind yourself what it is that you want to accomplish. Sixth, balance your life. There is a weariness that occurs when life's energies are out of harmony. Body, mind, and spirit need nurturing on a daily basis. Lastly, remember that storms never last.

Which word best describes the author's attitude towards continuing on the "academic road to success"?

• optimistic

• doubting

• pessimistic

• neutral

The presentation was about to begin. The audience anxiously waited in their metal chairs and talked to one another about what they were going to learn. The presenter walked to the front of the room, introduced herself. The audience clapped for the presenter. The presenter repeated what the audience already knew, that a passing quiz score on the information would be required by the end of the day for continued employment in the company. The audience immediately took out note pads and pens, tablets, and recorders. The presenter, then, pointed to the screen at the front of the room and pushed a button on her laptop. Suddenly, the screen went blank. The audience members shifted uncomfortably in their seats as the presenter worked to solve the problem. Some members of the audience tried to help. Phone calls were made by the presenter as the audience waited while looking nervously at their watches.

The overall feeling of the paragraph can be described as

• remorseful

• mocking

• apprehensive

• vindictive

I went to Zebra’s Diner yesterday. The seating arrangement inside the restaurant was really poor as customers had to face the walls. I sat at the cleanest table I could find. Fifteen minutes after I sat down, a teenage boy with long, dirty hair finally arrived to take my order. After another 35 minutes, my food arrived, but it was cold and not as delicious as I had hoped. Visiting Zebra’s Diner was certainly an experience to remember, but one that I never hope to repeat.

The tone of the paragraph is

• delighted

• gloomy

• annoyed

• charmed