Question

Which is the best comparison of the tone in these passages? Both passages have a dark, frightening tone. Both passages have a somber tone, but the second is more somber. While the first passage has a dark, horrifying tone, the tone of the second is much lighter. While the first passage has a negative tone, the second has an even more negative tone.

Answer 1

This question is incomplete because the passages are missing; here are the passages of the question:

1.)Everywhere was a shadow of death. The farmers spoke of much illness among their families. In the town the doctors had become more and more puzzled by new kinds of sickness appearing among their patients. There had been several sudden and unexplained deaths, not only among adults but even among children, who would be stricken suddenly while at play and die within a few hours.  

2.)No doubt these trees would make good lumber after passing through a sawmill, as George Washington after passing through the hands of a French cook would have made good food. But both for Washington and the tree that bears his name higher uses have been found.  Could one of these Sequoia Kings come to town in all its godlike majesty so as to be strikingly seen and allowed to plead its own cause, there would never again be any lack of defenders.

The correct answer to this question is C.While the first passage has a dark, horrifying tone, the tone of the second is much lighter.

Explanation:

In texts, the passage is understood as the general attitude of the author towards the topic of the texts. The first passage describes death and illness in a town. This topic, as well as, the use of words such as "a shadow of death" or " several sudden and unexplained deaths" creates a somber, dark, or horrifying tone. On the other hand, the second passage focuses on the use of Sequoia trees by question the use of these as lumber and comparing them to George Washington. In this context, the tone can be classified as questioning but not dark or somber. Thus, it can be concluded, "the first passage has a dark, horrifying tone, the tone of the second is much lighter".