Tones of passages

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>In past SATs there have been many questions asking the tone of a passage. I was wondering if we could compile a list of tones of passages and their meanings. Thanks</p>

<p>from momof2ky

  1. somber- solemn, grave, serious
  2. wry- amusing and ironic, dry, cynical
  3. prosaic- banal, mundane, dull, lacking imagination
  4. didactic- educational, instructional
  5. celebratory- festive
  6. reverent- respectful,
  7. platitudes- banal statements, a pointless or unoriginal empty comment made as though it was significant of helpful
  8. deliberate- on purpose, planned, calculated
  9. defiant- challenging aggressively, disobedient, tending to confront or challenge
  10. disdain- scorn, contempt, extreme disgust
  11. aloof- unfriendly, uninvolved or unwilling to become involved, distant, detached
  12. ambivalent- undecided, unsure, having mixed feelings, uncertain
  13. prosaic- …
  14. glib- slick, superficial, fluent in an insincere way
  15. derisive-mocking, showing contempt or ridicule, scathing, irreverent
  16. ‘evocative’,</p>
2

<p>Brilliant, I am going to put in my vocab bible thick 500 pages.</p>

3

<p>some additions</p>

<p>sardonic- cynical
pensive- dreamily or wist fully
baffled- confused
condescending- descent from dignity
ecstatic- really happy
evasive- elusive
indignant- resentful
domineering- tyrannical
wist ful- yearning
restrained- holding back
irate- angry
nostalgic- yearning for the past</p>

4

<p>adversarial
scathing
calculating
irreverent</p>

5

<p>Looking at the overall adjectives in a passage can sometimes help in figuring out the tone.</p>

6

<p>That is magnificient, thanks, I am copying down to my notebook, you don’t know how I treasure this… :)</p>