GuidelinesforRCTones

Veryoften,inentranceexamslikeCAT,therearequestionsinReadingComprehension
basedonthe"style"ofthepassage.Suchquestionscanappearinvariousforms.Some
oftheformsofsuchquestionsare:

1."Whichofthefollowingbestdescribesthetoneofthepassage?"
2."Thetoneofthepassageis...."
3."Theauthor'sapproach/tone/styleofwritinginthispassagecanbetermed/described
as....."

Suchquestionsshouldnotbeattemptedunlessyouhavereadtheentirepassage(unlike
certainothercategoriesofquestionswhichcanbeattemptedwithoutreadingthe
entirepassage).Onceyoureadtheentirepassageaskyourselfwhatthebasic
approach/styleoftheauthoris(withoutlookingattheanswerchoices).Thenlocatethe
answerchoicesandselecttheonewhichcomesclosesttowhatyouthoughtofinyou
mind.

Foryourunderstandingalistofwordsthatyoushouldbefamiliartoanswerquestions
on"tone"isgivenbelow:Pleasemakesurethatyouunderstandmeaningsofthewords
giveninthefollowingtable.
Possibletone Meaningoftheword
Acerbic Harsh/severe;bitter
Aggressive
Forceful;tendingtowardsunprovoked
offensiveness
Angry/indignant
Apathetic
Emotionless;notinterested/concerned;
indifferent;unresponsive
Apologetic
Expressingremorse,regret,sorrowforhaving
failed,injured,insultedorwrongedanother
Belligerent Aggressivelyhostile;bellicose
Biased
Favoringonething/person/groupoveranother
forpersonalreasons.
Caustic Biting;acerbic
Commiserating
Feeling/expressingsorrowfor;empathizing
with;pity
Condescending
Patronizing;showing/implyingpatronizing
descentfromdignity/superiority
Contemptuous Expressingcontempt/disdain
Cynical
displayingabeliefthatpeoplearealwaysself
seekingandneveraltruisticintheiractions
Derisive Unkindanddisplayingcontempt
Disparaging Speakslightingly;depreciating;belittling
Dogmatic
Assertingopinionsinanarrogantmanner;
imperious;dictatorial

Emotional
Easilyaffectedbyfeelingsactuatedbyexperiencing
love,hate,fearandthelike
Ethical
Dealingwithprinciplesofmorality;honest;
righteous
Euphemistic
Substitutionofmild,indirectorvagueexpression
foronethoughttobeoffensive,harshorblunt
Grandiose
Morecomplicated/elaboratedthannecessary;
pompous
Humanistic
Evincingkeeninterestinhumanaffairs,nature,
welfare,values
Humorous Funnyandamusing
Introspective Considerone'sowninternalstateoffeelings
Incendiary Causingstrongfeelings
Laudatory Praising;extolling;applauding
Motivating Impelling;inciting
Obsequious
Fawning;showingservilecomplaisance;flattering;
deferent
Pedestrian Lackingvitality,imagination,distinction
Populist
Egalitarian;pertainingtothecharacteristicsof
commonpeople/workingclass
Provocative Inciting;stimulating;irritating;vexing
Romantic
Fanciful;impractical;unrealistic;extravagant;
exaggerated
Sarcastic
Harsh,bitterderision;taunting;sneering;cutting
remarks
Satirical
Ironical;taunting;humanfollyhelduptoscorn/
derision/ridicule
Speculative Theoreticalratherthanpractical;thoughtful;
reflective;hypothetical
Technical
Usingterminologyortreatingsubjectmatterina
mannerpeculiartoaparticularfield,asawriteror
abook
Vitriolic Fullofangerandhatred
Vituperative Cruelandangrycriticism