Read the passage from "Ode on a Grecian Urn." Who are these coming to the sacrifice? To what green altar, O mysterious priest, Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies, And all her silken flanks with garlands drest? What little town by river or sea shore, Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel, Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn? And, little town, thy streets for evermore Will silent be; and not a soul to tell Why thou art desolate, can e'er return. How does word choice affect the tone in this section of the poem?
Answer
A
The tone changes from irritated to peaceful.
B
The tone changes from admiring to bored.
C
The tone changes from curious to lonely.
D
The tone changes from unhappy to reassured.
Explanation
The speaker first asks questions about the figures and the ritual, using words such as “mysterious” and wondering where the people are going. This creates a curious tone. The description then shifts to the town’s empty streets, which will be “silent” and “desolate” forever, creating a lonely tone. The correct choice is “The tone changes from curious to lonely.”
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