Word Choice and Tone | Answer Keys

Student Concept Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	Sentence B ("slender") uses more positive connotation. "Slender" has a positive, graceful connotation while "skinny" can sound negative or unhealthy.
2	The word "raced" tells us the children felt excited and eager to get to the playground. "Raced" suggests speed, enthusiasm, and excitement rather than just movement.
3	B. crept "Crept" suggests slow, careful, secretive movement that creates tension and suspense.
4	Answers will vary. Sample: "The rain tapped gently against the warm, cozy windows." Look for positive word choices like "tapped/pattered" instead of "pounded," and "warm/cozy" instead of "cold, gray."

Practice Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	B. Suspenseful and ominous Words like "howled," "devoured," "surrendered," and "groaned" create an eerie, threatening atmosphere.
2	These words (howled, growled) personify nature as angry/threatening animals. They make the storm seem alive and dangerous, increasing the reader's sense of fear and tension.
3	The author used "devoured" and "surrendered" to personify the darkness as a conquering force. This makes the darkness seem more powerful and threatening than simply saying the clouds covered the sun and the lights went out.
4	B. "the house groaned and creaked" This personification makes the house seem alive and unwelcoming, creating unease.
5	The repetition shows Maria is trying to convince herself not to be afraid. The fact that "her voice trembled" reveals she doesn't fully believe her own words. This shows the reader that Maria is scared despite trying to stay calm.
6	B. Warm and appreciative Words like "liquid gold," "cheerful," "pride," "paradise," and "love" create a warm, positive feeling.
7	These descriptions create a beautiful, magical, peaceful mood. "Liquid gold" makes the sunlight seem precious and warm. "Dew-kissed" makes the flowers seem delicate and lovely, as if gently touched with care.
8	"Sanctuary" and "paradise" are words for special, perfect, protected places. These word choices show that the author and Grandma view the garden as a precious, almost sacred place - not just a regular garden but somewhere deeply meaningful and beloved.
9	C. surviving "Surviving" suggests just barely making it, struggling. The other options (flourishing, blooming, growing) are all positive or neutral.
10	B. Review A is neutral/factual; Review B is enthusiastic/glowing
11	"Hidden gem" and "heavenly" are extremely positive word choices that make the reader want to visit the restaurant. These words suggest the restaurant is special, undiscovered, and that the food is exceptionally good - almost divine.
12	Review A's "move efficiently" is neutral and businesslike, making the service sound adequate but ordinary. Review B's "glide with graceful precision" makes the servers sound elegant and skilled, like dancers. This makes the restaurant seem more upscale and special.
13	The authors may have had different purposes or experiences. Review A might be written for a neutral guide or by someone who wants to be objective. Review B might be written by someone who loved the restaurant and wants to convince others to visit (or is being paid to promote it).
14	Passage 1 uses dark, threatening words like "howled," "devoured," "surrendered," and "groaned" to create a scary, ominous mood. Passage 2 uses bright, positive words like "liquid gold," "cheerful," "sparkled," and "paradise" to create a warm, peaceful mood. The word choices are opposite - one makes you feel uneasy, the other makes you feel happy and calm.

FAST Format Quiz Answers

Question	Answer
1	B. Mysterious and eerie
2	B. It creates an image of danger and decay. Comparing rusty edges to "broken teeth" creates a threatening, decayed image.
3	A. To make the lighthouse seem alive and unwelcoming Personification (groaned, complaint) makes the building seem like it has feelings and doesn't want visitors.
4	B. "it still held secrets... whispering in the walls" This phrase directly creates mystery by suggesting hidden information and supernatural elements.
5	B. The explosive, overwhelming happiness of the moment
6	B. Admiring and inspirational "Warriors" and "battled through adversity" elevates the players to heroic status.
7	B. "Victory" uses energetic, triumphant words while "Lighthouse" uses eerie, unsettling words.
8	A. Change "erupted like a volcano" to "cheered loudly" "Cheered loudly" is factual and neutral, while the other options maintain or increase the celebratory tone.
9	See rubric and sample response below.
10	See rubric and sample response below.

Question 9 Scoring Rubric

Score	Criteria
2	Identifies at least TWO specific words/phrases from the passage AND explains how each creates a specific mood
1	Identifies only ONE word/phrase with explanation, OR identifies two but with weak/missing explanations
0	Does not identify specific words, gives vague answers, or response does not address word choice and mood

Sample 2-Point Response for Question 9:
The author creates a mysterious, eerie mood through careful word choice. First, describing cobwebs as "tattered curtains" that filter light into "something ghostly" makes the lighthouse seem haunted and supernatural. Second, the phrase "secrets whispering in the walls" suggests hidden mysteries and possibly supernatural presence. Both of these word choices make the reader feel uneasy and curious about what secrets the lighthouse might hold.

Question 10 Scoring Rubric

Score	Criteria
2	Clearly explains the connotation difference between "abandoned" and "historic" AND explains how this would change the mood/reader expectations
1	Identifies that the mood would change but explanation is incomplete or vague
0	Does not address the question or claims there would be no difference

Sample 2-Point Response for Question 10:
"Abandoned" creates a negative, lonely, possibly scary feeling - it makes readers expect something forgotten, neglected, and maybe even dangerous. "Historic" would create a completely different mood - it sounds positive, educational, and interesting. Readers would expect to learn about the past, not feel scared. The word "abandoned" prepares readers for the eerie, mysterious tone of the passage, while "historic" would make readers expect something more like a museum tour.

Quick Reference: Tone vs. Mood

Tone (Author's Attitude)	Mood (Reader's Feeling)
Serious, Playful, Sarcastic	Tense, Amused, Uneasy
Admiring, Critical, Hopeful	Inspired, Suspicious, Optimistic
Mysterious, Formal, Casual	Curious, Respectful, Comfortable