Lesson - Critical Reading Skill: Identifying Tone Show
GRE Critical Reading: Identifying Tone To better understand a passage, a reader should identify the author's attitude, or tone. Evaluating tone gives readers a better understanding of the author’s argument and purpose for writing. The author's tone is closely associated with the writer's purpose. The writer will use a certain voice to convey the main idea and purpose of a passage. That voice often reveals the author's attitude toward the subject. Compare the passages below:Passage (i) The treadmill began to whir, and I gripped its handlebars as the belt started moving me backwards. All I could do now was run -- or begrudgingly barrel forward -- toward an outdated screen that showed me the terrain I was supposed to be running on. It was made of red squares stacked up, one on top of another: the higher stacks were supposed to be steep hills, and the lower ones, valleys. I tried to picture them as burning coals to see if that would make me speed up or at least feel like this exercise was somehow connected to nature -- even one of its cruel parts. How would you describe this author's attitude towards the treadmill? Passage
(ii) The treadmill began to whir, and my heart sped up faster than the belt could go. Instead of pressing "select" on my remote control to escape into a TV show, I had just selected "Power Run." A sleek screen with a simple set of red lines showed me the terrain on which I was running. Those red lines looked like a pulse, and they got me to run farther and faster than I could ever run when I'm outside, worried about weather, cars, or other people. It may not have looked like I was going anywhere that night, but I had just broken out of a ten-year slump. How would you describe this author's attitude towards the treadmill?
How do we know that? Consider the specific details, comparisons and word choices the author uses. Specific Details that the Author Chose to Include
Comparisons
Word Choice
Consider the specific details, comparisons and word choices that the author uses. Specific Details that the Author Chose to Include
Comparisons
Word Choice
Other common descriptions of an author's tone include adjectives like cynical, depressed, hopeful, wistful, sympathetic, cheerful, outraged, positive, angry, sarcastic, ironic, solemn, vindictive, and intense.
Read the two passages below, and then answer questions regarding the author's purpose, organizational pattern and tone. Passage 1 Anyone can understand the confusion ancient traders experienced trying to market their goods without a common standard of measurement. Imagine trying to sell grain in Egypt by the basket without having any comparison to make as to the basket's weight or volume. Such were the problems in early times when weight had to be guessed or measured against a standard of the weight of stones, seashells, seeds, or grain. Problems also existed in terms of measurement of lengths. One of the earliest linear measurements was the foot which first took its standard from the length of a human foot and later used the length of a king's foot as the standard. Archaeologists have traced people's attempts to grapple with standard units of measurement from the ancient Egyptians' attempts to reset precise property lines after flooding of the Nile River to biblical times when a cubit was the standard unit of length. The cubit took its standard from the distance between the end of the elbow to the end of the middle finger -- usually about 18 inches. The Romans defined the inch as the width of the thumb, and the mile as 311,000 paces. The problems involved in using such measurements are obvious. Imagine trying to set new, more accurate standards among people who hung on tenaciously to existing standards. When the Romans conquered ancient Britain, they brought their standards of measurement along and imposed them on the people. Consequently, some of these standards have survived to the 20th century. The British Imperial System of weights and measures evolved from many sources and became fairly well standardized by the 19th century. The standard yard and pound were kept in the Houses of Parliament. However, when the Parliament building burned in 1834, the standards were destroyed. British scientists then began to press for a more uniform standard for the gallon, the pound, and the yard which could be used in the entire British Empire. This made trading, buying, and selling much more uniform.
One of the industrial giants who changed American society was Henry Ford. Born on a farm in Michigan in 1863, he grew up to bring forth some of the most revolutionary improvements in automotive technology in the
early 20th century. His outstanding mechanical ability led him to become interested in the new automobiles in the early 1900s. Though he did not invent the automobile, he improved upon everyone else's designs.
1. The correct choice is C. 2. The correct choice is D. Passage 2 1. The correct choice is C. This passage contains many examples of Ford's contributions to society. It does not contain a listing or cause/effect. Although the passage does begin with the year of Ford's birth, it is not totally in time order. 2. The correct choice is C. Which of the following explains why the author believes the presidential power has expanded?Which of the following explains why the author believes presidential power has expanded? Congress has passed legislation requesting that the president take on a stronger leadership role in foreign affairs.
Which of the following is an example of Congress using its implied powers?For example, if Congress has the power to coin money, it's implied that Congress has the power to set up mints and pay workers to run those mints. In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court confirmed that Congress can exercise these implied powers.
In which of the following scenarios would a presidential veto most likely be upheld?In which of the following scenarios would a presidential veto most likely be upheld? E Two- thirds of the representatives and senators are members of the same party as the president.
Which of the following is an example of congressional oversight?In Congress, oversight comes in many forms including: Hearings and investigations conducted by standing or special congressional committees. Consulting with or getting reports directly from the president. Giving its advice and consent for certain high-level presidential nominations and for treaties.
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