Question

select the passage that has a more wondrous tone.
in that fresh, cool atmosphere, the hylas were peeping and the toads ringing about the lake. it was as if the season had revolved backward two or three months, or i had arrived at the abode of perpetual spring.
deep silence fell about the little camp, positioned there so vulnerably in the jaws of the wilderness. the lake gleamed like a sheet of black glass beneath the stars. the cold air stung.
adapted from henry david thoreau, canoeing in the wilderness and algernon blackwood, the wendigo

Explanation:

To determine the passage with a more wondrous tone, we analyze the descriptions:

• The second passage (with "Deep silence fell... the lake gleamed like a sheet of black glass beneath the stars. The cold air stung") uses vivid, evocative imagery (e.g., "black glass beneath the stars," "jaws of the wilderness") that creates a sense of awe and mystery, fitting a "wondrous" (filled with wonder) tone. The first passage’s description of seasons and wildlife is more matter - of - fact.

Answer:

The passage starting with "Deep silence fell about the little camp... The cold air stung" (the second passage shown) has a more wondrous tone.