what is a "tempered" tone? How is it different from a "critical" tone?

<p>I read a clearly critical, scathing passage, and one of the questions was “what was the author’s tone”. The answer was “tempered”.</p>

<p>I was under the impression that “tempered” meant somewhat the opposite: restrained, holding back, not fully expressing your opinion.</p>

<p>What is a “tempered” tone?</p>