Read the excerpt from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaninghis little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on laddersand steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash; till hehad dust in his throat and eyes, and splashes of whitewash all overhis black fur, and an aching back and weary arms.
Answer
A
The negative connotations of the words “dust,” “aching,” and “weary” give the excerpt a tone of relaxation.
B
The negative connotations of the words “dust,” “aching,” and “weary” give the excerpt a tone of tiredness.
C
The positive connotations of the words “home,” “morning,” and “splashes” give the excerpt a tone of relaxation.
D
The positive connotations of the words “home,” “morning,” and “splashes” give the excerpt a tone of tiredness.
Explanation
The words “dust,” “aching,” and “weary” have negative connotations that emphasize how unpleasant and exhausting the cleaning has been. In particular, an aching back and weary arms show that Mole is tired, so the excerpt has a tone of tiredness. The correct choice is B, not relaxation.
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