Question

mood worksheet 3
directions: read the passages and underline words and phrases that help set the mood. write down the
mood of the passage and explain your answer.

1. janet looked at the rickety rope bridge as it swayed in the wind. the small planks on the floor of the

bridge were spaced about a foot apart. they looked like they had been made from driftwood or wine
corks. janet looked down into the canyon below the rope bridge. it was wide and deep. she could barely
make out what was at the bottom. she inched onto the first plank. it creaked loudly. then she put her
weight onto the weathered plank, clinging tightly to the ropes. the wind had a ghostly whistle.
what is the mood of this paragraph? fearful
why do you believe this? explain your answer by referring to the text.
when you scared of high

1. tom took the trophy, but it didnt feel good. he knew that he didnt deserve it. he knew that he had

cheated. the others didnt know now, but they might find out one day. tom didnt know what he feared
worse: getting caught or living with this secret. he tried to smile as the others cheered for him. he
forced a big fake one on his face, and that made him feel even worse. tom took a few more bows and
left the stage. he brought his trophy home and threw it in a pile of his dirty laundry.
what is the mood of this paragraph?
why do you believe this? explain your answer by referring to the text.

1. this test meant everything to deshaun. if he passed, hed be able to take the scholarship. if he failed,

hed be held back and his future would be choked. he stayed up all night studying until the words
blurred into meaningless letters. he worked with tutors. his girlfriend helped him study. he did all that
he could. but the pressure was so intense. now was the time to test. his palms were sweaty. his mind
was racing. if only he could slow it down. his senses sharpened. he heard the clock ticking slowly but
steadily. it was test time.
what is the mood of this paragraph?
why do you believe this? explain your answer by referring to the text.

1. garys hands were calloused. they werent soft like his brothers hands. his brother was an

accountant. gary labored. he mixed heavy bags of cement. he carried shingles onto roofs. he swung
pickaxes and hammers. the work wasnt easy, but gary made an honest living. he brought his check
home and provided for his family. he didnt have a hard time sleeping at night. though he came home
tired, his family was always happy to see him, and they softened his landing spot.
what is the mood of this paragraph?
why do you believe this? explain your answer by referring to the text.

Explanation:

1. For paragraph 2: The text shows Tom feels guilty about cheating to win a trophy, dreads being caught, and is unhappy despite winning, creating a guilty, anxious mood.
2. For paragraph 3: Deshaun faces high-stakes pressure tied to his future, shows physical signs of stress (sweaty palms, racing mind), creating a tense, anxious mood.
3. For paragraph 4: Gary works hard but finds fulfillment in providing for his family, who greet him warmly, creating a quiet, contented, earnest mood.

Answer:

1. Paragraph 2

• Mood: Guilty/Anxious
• Explanation: Tom cheated for the trophy, feels he doesn't deserve it, fears being caught, forces a fake smile, and throws the trophy in dirty laundry, showing his guilt and anxiety.

1. Paragraph 3

• Mood: Tense/Anxious
• Explanation: Deshaun's future depends on the test; he stayed up all night studying, has sweaty palms, a racing mind, and feels intense pressure as test time arrives.

1. Paragraph 4

• Mood: Earnest/Contented
• Explanation: Gary works physically demanding jobs to support his family, sleeps well, and is greeted happily by his family, showing his quiet satisfaction with his honest life.