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Question

Difficulty: MediumUnseen Text Appreciation and Analysis

Read the unseen extract below:

"The iron engine shrieks its sulfur breath,
And tears through meadows where the lilies sleep;
A modern monster sowing seeds of death,
While quiet spirits in the shadows weep."

Which of the following best describes the speaker's tone in the passage?

  1. Disapproving and mournfulAnswer
  2. B
    Tranquil and serene
  3. C
    Terrified and hysterical
  4. D
    Awe-struck and admiring

Answer

The speaker's tone is disapproving and mournful.
The correct answer identifies the speaker's disapproval and grief through explicit language like 'monster', 'shrieks', and 'seeds of death', which directly express condemnation of the industrial engine's intrusion into nature.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the diction and word choices used to describe the subject.
Phrases like 'shrieks its sulfur breath', 'modern monster', and 'seeds of death' reflect harsh criticism and grief.
Tone is determined by examining how the author's choice of words expresses an emotional attitude toward the subject matter.
2
Differentiate between the peaceful elements of the setting and the speaker's active stance.
The sleeping lilies and weeping spirits emphasize the tragic loss of nature, reinforcing disapproval rather than tranquility.
Care must be taken not to confuse the calm, vulnerable background imagery with the speaker's critical voice.

Key Concept

Identifying Speaker Tone in Unseen Poetry
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Topics

Unseen Text Appreciation and Analysis

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