Question

read this example:
after waking up at 5 a.m. for an early morning practice,
ricardo stumbled through the rest of his classes.
the connotation of the word stumbled supports which tone?
a. clumsy
b. exhausted
c. energetic
d. carefrea

Explanation:

1. Analyze the context: Ricardo woke up at 5 a.m. for practice and then went to classes. The word "stumbled" here is used metaphorically (since it's about getting through classes, not physical stumbling) to show his state.
2. Evaluate Option A: "Clumsy" refers to lack of coordination in actions, but the context is about being tired from waking up early, not being uncoordinated in a physical - action - clumsy way.
3. Evaluate Option B: "Exhausted" fits because waking up early for practice would make him tired, and "stumbled through" implies he was moving (or in this case, getting through classes) in a tired, sluggish way, which is consistent with being exhausted.
4. Evaluate Option C: "Energetic" is the opposite of how someone who woke up early and is struggling to get through classes would feel.
5. Evaluate Option D: "Carefree" implies a light - hearted, unconcerned attitude, which doesn't match the context of being tired from an early - morning practice.

Answer:

B. Exhausted