Tone

The abandoned amusement park lay in eerie silence, its once-vibrant colors now faded to dull grays beneath layers of dust and rust. The carousel horses, chipped and frozen in mid-gallop, stared vacantly into the distance. A chill hung in the air, as though the laughter of long-gone children had been swept away by time itself.

Question: What is the overall tone of the paragraph?

• Joyful

• Nostalgic

• Ominous

• Optimistic

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

She drifted through the gallery, her footsteps hushed by the plush carpet. Each painting seemed to whisper secrets from another time—brushstrokes dancing like shadows across ancient walls. The scent of oil paint mingled with a hint of lavender, creating an atmosphere of hushed reverence.

Question: How does the author’s diction contribute to the mood of the paragraph?

• It evokes a sense of tension and urgency.

• It creates an atmosphere of quiet wonder.

• It emphasizes a mood of confusion.

• It suggests a setting of chaos and disruption.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Beneath the relentless glare of fluorescent lights, the office cubicles stood like identical boxes, each one filled with the soft clatter of keyboards and the rustle of stale paper. The air was dry and heavy with the scent of burnt coffee and tired ambition.

Question: Which best describes the mood created by the author’s word choice?

• Dreary and monotonous

• Bright and welcoming

• Hopeful and energetic

• Confused and chaotic

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Even as the waves crashed against the rocky shore and the storm clouds coiled like angry beasts above, she stood unmoving. Her eyes narrowed against the wind, and her coat whipped violently around her legs, but she did not flinch.

Question: What tone is conveyed through the author’s syntax and diction?

• Resigned and passive

• Defiant and determined

• Calm and indifferent

• Mournful and regretful

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

She strode into the meeting with a purpose, her words sharp and deliberate, her gaze unwavering. The room quieted not out of fear but respect—she wielded language like a scalpel, slicing through the nonsense with calm precision.

Question: How does the author’s diction contribute to the tone of this paragraph?

• It creates a tone of admiration.

• It develops a tone of nervous anticipation.

• It conveys a mocking tone.

• It suggests a feeling of helplessness.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The cafeteria buzzed with energy, laughter echoing from table to table as students swapped jokes and crumpled napkins. Even the usually grim-faced lunch lady allowed herself a smirk at the antics near the dessert line.

Which mood is most strongly created by the author's word choices?

• Anxious and tense

• . Joyful and carefree

• Lonely and nostalgic

• Serious and formal

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B