GuidelinesforRCTones

Veryoften,inentranceexamslikeCAT,therearequestionsinReadingComprehension basedonthe"style"ofthepassage.Suchquestionscanappearinvariousforms.Some oftheformsofsuchquestionsare: 1."Whichofthefollowingbestdescribesthetoneofthepassage?" 2."Thetoneofthepassageis...." 3."Theauthor'sapproach/tone/styleofwritinginthispassagecanbetermed/described as....." Suchquestionsshouldnotbeattemptedunlessyouhavereadtheentirepassage(unlike certainothercategoriesofquestionswhichcanbeattemptedwithoutreadingthe entirepassage).Onceyoureadtheentirepassageaskyourselfwhatthebasic approach/styleoftheauthoris(withoutlookingattheanswerchoices).Thenlocatethe answerchoicesandselecttheonewhichcomesclosesttowhatyouthoughtofinyou mind. Foryourunderstandingalistofwordsthatyoushouldbefamiliartoanswerquestions on"tone"isgivenbelow:Pleasemakesurethatyouunderstandmeaningsofthewords giveninthefollowingtable. Possibletone Acerbic Aggressive Meaningoftheword Harsh/severe;bitter Forceful;tendingtowardsunprovoked offensiveness Emotionless;notinterested/concerned; indifferent;unresponsive Expressingremorse,regret,sorrowforhaving failed,injured,insultedorwrongedanother Aggressivelyhostile;bellicose Favoringonething/person/groupoveranother forpersonalreasons. Biting;acerbic Feeling/expressingsorrowfor;empathizing with;pity Patronizing;showing/implyingpatronizing descentfromdignity/superiority

Angry/indignant Apathetic Apologetic Belligerent Biased Caustic Commiserating Condescending

Contemptuous Expressingcontempt/disdain Cynical Derisive Disparaging Dogmatic Emotional Ethical Euphemistic Grandiose Humanistic Humorous Incendiary Laudatory Motivating Obsequious Pedestrian Populist Easilyaffectedbyfeelingsactuatedbyexperiencing love,hate,fearandthelike Dealingwithprinciplesofmorality;honest; righteous Substitutionofmild,indirectorvagueexpression foronethoughttobeoffensive,harshorblunt Morecomplicated/elaboratedthannecessary; pompous Evincingkeeninterestinhumanaffairs,nature, welfare,values Funnyandamusing Causingstrongfeelings Praising;extolling;applauding Impelling;inciting Fawning;showingservilecomplaisance;flattering; deferent Lackingvitality,imagination,distinction Egalitarian;pertainingtothecharacteristicsof commonpeople/workingclass Fanciful;impractical;unrealistic;extravagant; exaggerated Harsh,bitterderision;taunting;sneering;cutting remarks Ironical;taunting;humanfollyhelduptoscorn/ derision/ridicule displayingabeliefthatpeoplearealwaysself seekingandneveraltruisticintheiractions Unkindanddisplayingcontempt Speakslightingly;depreciating;belittling Assertingopinionsinanarrogantmanner; imperious;dictatorial

Introspective Considerone'sowninternalstateoffeelings

Provocative Inciting;stimulating;irritating;vexing Romantic Sarcastic Satirical

Speculative Theoreticalratherthanpractical;thoughtful;

reflective;hypothetical Technical Vitriolic Usingterminologyortreatingsubjectmatterina mannerpeculiartoaparticularfield,asawriteror abook Fullofangerandhatred

Vituperative Cruelandangrycriticism