Tone WordsUnit 2

awed

Definition: filled with admiration for or fear of something.

Example I envied him the chance to see such a great man, leader, citizen, and soul.

confident

Definition: having strong belief

Example: The people will recover from this natural disaster. They have the inner strength, the resources, the intelligence, and the help of the rest of the world.

contemplative

Definition: thoughtful

Example: These tragedies force one to stop and reflect. What is the meaning of life? Is there a reason that we suffer so much? I suppose that these are questions that will never really be answered.

cynical

Definition: distrusting of the motives of others.

Example: Sure, those people will receive a lot of foreign aid, but it won’t be any more than the other countries can easily spare. Most of it will get stolen by government officials anyway.

derisive

Definition: contemptuous, mocking

Example: Some people think that that earthquake happened because God was angry. That kind of thinking is beyond ridiculous. Why not blame the leprechauns? Or the fairies?

facetious

Defnition: lacking seriousness joking (like sarcastic, but a person being facetious is not being as mean)

Example: Our school should raise some money. Maybe we could sell off a few of the teachers. I bet we could get a bit more for them than we would for the old chalkboards.

forthright

Definition: straightforward, honest, direct

Example: You all pretend to care about these tragedies, but you really don’t. You, like me, go right back to your lives as soon as possible.

grave

Definition: serious or somber

Example: This tragedy will have a crippling effect on the minds, hearts, and economy of this country. Families, communities, a country have all been torn apart. This is truly a sad day.

incredulous

Definition: showing lack of belief, skeptical

Example: They raised that much money? No way. That school cannot even afford to kill the rats. How are they donating money all of a sudden?

apathetic

Definition: showing little or no emotion; uncaring

Example: I am just tired of talking about the dress code at this point. Whatever they want to do is fine. Just leave me alone.

Question #1

It’s funny what football will make you think of. The other day, while watching the Bears, I thought of my former best friend and how much he loves the Bears. I thought of all the good times that we have had.

The tone of the above passage is best described as:

A. cynical

B. facetious

C. pedantic

D. contemplative

Cite one piece of textual evidence that supports your choice.

Question #2

Trestman is going for it? Now? Are you serious? Were up by twenty-one points! I cannot believe my eyes.

The tone of the above passage is best described as:

A. forthright

B. incredulous

C. awed

D. apathetic

Cite one piece of textual evidence that supports your choice.

Question #3

We had a barbeque at my place yesterday. All my family and friends came. They were eating and yelling and cheering the Bears. There was chicken, sausage, and steak. After the Bears one we stayed up dancing and singing until 2am.

The tone of the above passage is best described as:

A. bemused

B. forthright

C. ambivalent

D. jovial

Cite one piece of textual evidence that supports your choice.

Question #4

The Packers can’t beat us! Not with Rodgers hurt. What, is Matt Flynn going to turn into Brett Favre all of a sudden? As if!

The tone of the above passage is best described as:

A. derisiveB. apatheticC. jovialD. detached

Cite one piece of textual evidence that supports your choice.

Question #5

I don’t know why I root for pro sports teams. It’s not like the players even live in the city. What do they care? They are just in it for the money. So are the owners. Everybody is in it for the money.

The tone of the above passage is best described as:

A. grave

B. cynical

C. derisive

D. confident

Cite one piece of textual evidence that supports your choice.