<p>Page 459 of the Blue Book</p>
<p>“The idea that the number of people per square mile is a key determinant of population pressure is as widespread as it is wrong.” </p>
<p>The tone of this line is best characterized as
a) wistful
b) dismayed
c) emphatic
d) ambivalent
e) apologetic</p>
<p>I put dismayed, but the answer is c. Is it emphatic because he is taking into account others beliefs (although he is completely refuting them)?</p>
<p>A makes no sense because it means sadly nostalgic (I believe)
B means having one’s confidence destroyed.
C means stated with conviction. The author is definitely making a stance when he says “The idea… is wrong.” So C is the closest choice.
D is completely contradictory because the author is definitely not undecided.
E either means regretfully explaining what happened or defending by words or arguments. (I believe that the second definition of apologetic is outdated, by the way.) And E has nothing to do with making a stance.</p>
<p>I put dismay too. It’s a level 5 question, I think. I think it would really depend on this time if you knew the word or not.</p>
<p>Ahhh… I see. Thank you!</p>
<p>I had misread it as empathetic. And that’s why I don’t do practice SAT tests past nine… Thanks :)</p>