Question

read this excerpt from margaret frinks journal of the adventures of a party of california gold - seekers: here we again heard alarming and discouraging accounts of deeds of violence and bloodshed that had recently been committed on the plains, along the route that we were very soon to travel over. which statement best describes the effect of word choice on the tone of the excerpt? a. words like deeds and committed give the excerpt a threatening tone. b. works like discouraging and bloodshed give the excerpt a depressed tone. c. words like again andsoon give the excerpt an expectant tone. d. words like alarming and violence give the excerpt a sinister tone.

Explanation:

The words "alarming" and "violence" create a sense of danger and evil, which is characteristic of a sinister tone. Words like "deeds" and "committed" don't primarily set a threatening tone in this context. "Discouraging" and "bloodshed" don't create a depressed tone as much as a sense of foreboding. "Again" and "soon" don't give an expectant tone but rather add to the sense of impending danger.

Answer:

D. Words like "alarming" and "violence" give the excerpt a sinister tone.