Tone & Mood Application

Which excerpt below has the most critical tone?

• On the train, the man slowly clipped his fingernails. He focused on the task, beginning with his pinky finger and finishing with his thumb.

• On the train, the tired, old man began clipping his fingernails. He was trying to distract himself from his loneliness by focusing on this one small task, moving from pinky to thumb.

• The man---right in the middle of the crowded train--began to clip his long, yellow fingernails. He did it slowly, as if he didn't even care that a dozen other people could see and hear him.

• The man on the train clipped his fingernails. It took him 2 minutes and 8 seconds. He started on his pinky and finished with his thumb. When he was finished, he put the clippers back into his jacket pocket.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5D

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.W.7.9A

Which words and phrases best show the sentimental tone in the passage below?

I got out of the old car and took a few halting steps up the driveway. A cloud of warmth drifted out of the window and embraced me like a comforting hug. I knew that smell: fresh bread that Papa had just taken from the oven. I heard the familiar pitch of his whistle as he slowly stirred tomato soup on the stovetop. I ran to open the screen door because, now, I knew where I was. I was home.

• "warmth," "comforting hug" and "home"

• "car," "tomato soup" and "door"

• "old," "halting" and "out the window"

• "driveway," "screen door" and "slowly stirred"

Which of the following is NOT a negative tone?

• angry

• cynical

• harsh

• excited

Which of the following is NOT a positive tone?

• cruel

• encouraging

• joyful

• loving

What is the tone of the text below?

"I will not!" she shouted. "I will not be left at the mercy of our enemies while you slink away."

• pleased

• happy

• angry

• whimsical

What word would you use to describe the tone of the excerpt below?

Just when I thought things could not get more ridiculous, Rebecca's little terrier, all dressed up in its knitted blue "winter outfit," poked its head out of the pink polka dot doggy tote! The outfit was an odd sweater-and-hood number. Perhaps Rebecca thought it flattered Fluffy's eyes. Fluffy looked around blankly, as if to ask what was so amusing.

• bitter

• objective

• respectful

• humorous

Which word accurately describes the son's tone in the dialogue below?

Father: "We are going to Disney World!"

Son: "Yay!"

• irritated

• uninterested

• annoyed

• ecstatic

An author wrote the following:

Today was Wendall's birthday. He barely slept last night. He jumped out of bed and ran downstairs to the smell of pancakes cooking.

What mood did the author intend for the reader to feel?

• sleepy

• fearful

• crazy

• excited

Which excerpt below has the most whimsical tone?

• The creature moved its sharp claws over the strange device, and the noise was loud and distracting.

• The lovely fairy danced her long fingers over the harp, and the music carried us gently into a trance.

• The creature played the instrument, and we listened to the music it made.

• The monster produced a terrifying noise, and we tried hard not to scream and give away our hiding place.

Which excerpt has the most objective tone?

• The creature moved its sharp claws over the strange device, and the noise was loud and distracting.

• The lovely fairy danced her long fingers over the harp, and the music carried us gently into a trance.

• The creature played the instrument, and we listened to the music it made.

• The monster produced a terrifying noise, and we tried hard not to scream and give away our hiding place.