Question

authors craft diction, syntax, and mood
directions: read the excerpt below, and insert the correct letter on the line. write out your answer to item 5.
1 the team was inspired by ornithologists. they had long relied on amateurs to tag migrating birds. dr. ryan decided to enlist the support of volunteers along the migratory pathways to tag and track monarch butterflies. in 1952, they advertised for volunteers in popular nature magazines.
2 within a few years, dr. ryans team had recruited three thousand amateur researchers, scattered across the united states and canada. each was equipped to place delicate tags on the monarchs wings. their reports became the primary data for important research.
3 in his first publication, an article in insect migration studies, dr. ryan reported that a monarch tagged in grafton, ontario, had been found in baton rouge, louisiana. he proved the hypothesis that butterflies were moving south along distinct flyways. the team continued to track and refine migration patterns for decades.

1. which of the following best describes the diction of the selection?

a. casual b. academic c. firm d. slangy

1. what mood do the details provided in the passage convey?

a. humorous b. reflective c. tense d. informative

1. in paragraph 2, what is the effect of using the word equipped instead of able?

a. it breaks from the diction in the rest of the passage.
b. it makes the meaning of the passage unclear.
c. it makes the process of tagging seem more professional and scientific.
d. it demonstrates that the people tagging the monarchs are well educated.

1. in paragraph 3, why does the author name the publication where the research teams first article appeared?

a. it shows the details of the teams research.
b. it shows that the research was accepted in a scholarly publication.
c. it shows that the research team could write for a general audience.
d. it shows that the research had great promise for the future.

1. list at least four scientific words or phrases that contribute to the diction of the passage.

Explanation:

1. The passage uses words typical of academic - style writing like "ornithologists", "hypothesis", etc., so the diction is academic.
2. The passage presents facts about the research on monarch butterflies in a non - emotional way, giving an informative mood.
3. "Equipped" implies having the proper tools and preparation, making the tagging process seem more professional and scientific compared to just being "able".
4. Naming the scholarly publication "Insect Migration Studies" shows the research was accepted in a scholarly context.
5. Scientific words/phrases can be identified by their use in a scientific research context.

Answer:

1. b. academic
2. d. informative
3. c. It makes the process of tagging seem more professional and scientific.
4. b. It shows that the research was accepted in a scholarly publication.
5. ornithologists, hypothesis, migratory pathways, migration patterns