Question

select the passage that has a more restrained tone. underground water, percolating through porous riverbeds, will eventually bring about a collapse. the rocks forming the slopes of the mountain will, from time to time, give and slide into the valley. there came a rending crack, terrifying in its loudness. a tremendous tower of ice leaned slowly outward and then roared downward, falling in a solid piece like a demolished skyscraper. adapted from james gekle, fragments of earth lore and rex beach, the iron trail

Explanation:

To determine which passage has a more restrained tone, we analyze the language:

• The first passage (about underground water and mountain slopes) uses formal, objective language (e.g., "percolating," "give and slide") to explain a geological process, with no dramatic or exaggerated descriptions.
• The second passage (about the crack and ice tower) uses vivid, intense imagery ("terrifying," "roared downward," "demolished skyscraper") to create a dramatic tone.

Answer:

The passage starting with "Underground water, percolating through porous riverbeds, will eventually bring about a collapse. The rocks forming the slopes of the mountain will, from time to time, give and slide into the valley." (the first passage) has a more restrained tone.