Question

select the passage that has a more disapproving tone.
the minds of the people were agitated with other things, and a kind of sadness and horror at these things sat upon the expressions of even the common people. death was before their eyes, and everybody began to think of their graves, not of mirth and diversions.
the “red death” had long devastated the country. but prince prospero was strangely happy and unconcerned. when his dominions were half depopulated, he summoned a thousand lighthearted friends to his castle. he thoughtlessly believed the external world could take care of itself. in the meantime, it was foolish to grieve, or to think.
adapted from daniel defoe, a journal of the plague year and edgar allen poe, “the masque of the red death”

Explanation:

To determine the passage with a more disapproving tone, we analyze the language and content. In the second passage, words like "strangely happy and unconcerned", "thoughtlessly", and "foolish" are used to describe Prince Prospero's actions during a devastating event ("Red Death" depopulating the country). This shows a critical view of his behavior, indicating disapproval. The first passage mainly describes the people's sadness and focus on death without expressing disapproval of characters' actions.

Answer:

The passage starting with "The 'Red Death' had long devastated the country..." (the second passage) has a more disapproving tone.