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Difficulty: EasyTextual Tone, Mood, and Atmosphere

Read the excerpt below carefully:

"Listen! The drums beat no longer for war,
Nor for the solemn burial of a fallen chief,
But for the harvest of yam and the laughter of maiden daughters.
Throw open the gates and let the palm wine flow!"

What is the dominant tone of the speaker in the excerpt above?

  1. Jubilant and celebratoryAnswer
  2. B
    Mournful and solemn
  3. C
    Hostile and aggressive
  4. D
    Anxious and fearful

Answer

Jubilant and celebratory
The correct answer is 'Jubilant and celebratory' because the speaker uses vibrant, festive imagery—such as the yam harvest, laughter, opening gates, and sharing palm wine—to convey a enthusiastic attitude of community celebration and joy.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the key words and imagery in the excerpt
Phrases like 'harvest of yam', 'laughter of maiden daughters', and 'let the palm wine flow' point toward a festive event.
Tone is determined by the author or speaker's attitude conveyed through word choice and imagery.
2
Analyze negations in the text
The speaker explicitly rejects negative or sombre reasons for drumming ('no longer for war', 'nor for the solemn burial').
Recognizing what the speaker rejects prevents misinterpreting the excerpt as gloomy or aggressive.
3
Synthesize the overall speaker attitude
The speaker's call to open gates and celebrate reveals a festive, joyful, and triumphant tone.
Connecting the joyful imagery leads directly to the correct classification of a jubilant tone.

Key Concept

Textual Tone, Mood, and Atmosphere
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Textual Tone, Mood, and Atmosphere

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