Tone in Text

What is the "tone" of a story?

• The feeling the passage evokes from the reader

• The author, narrator, or speaker's attitude toward a subject

• The time and place of the story

• The summary of events in the story

What is the tone of the following text?
"I will not!" she shouted.  "I will not be left at the mercy of our enemies while you run away and hide, you coward!" 

• pleased
• suspicious 
• happy
• angry

Lana was bursting with excitement. She paced up and down, and every few minutes headed to the window to check for the mail carrier. When he finally showed up, she ran down the path and stretched out her hand for the mail. She took a deep breath and, hands shaking, ripped open the envelope.

What word would you use to describe the tone of this passage?

• humorous

• persuasive

• anxious

• cheerful

Botulism, a type of rare, severe food poisoning, has been reported recently in New Jersey. It is believed that the victim, who is in critical condition at a local hospital, was stricken after eating from a jar of incorrectly preserved homegrown green beans from last summer’s garden. It has been ten years since the last instance of botulism poisoning was reported in the state. 

• light-hearted 
• serious 
• tragic 

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 combination. Perhaps Rebecca thought it flattered Fluffy's eyes. Fluffy looked around blankly, as if to ask what was so amusing.

What word would you use to describe the tone of this passage?

• Bitter

• Respectful

• Objective

• Humorous

"Listen to what she says with an open heart and a critical mind. Love her even if she doesn't do what you hope..."

• tragic
• cheerful
• desperate
• sympathetic