Question:
Identify the tone of the author based on the following passage:
'We have built cities of concrete that choke the earth, and we celebrate our progress while the rivers turn black with waste and the forests vanish into memory. This is not advancement; it is a slow, documented suicide.'
Identify the tone of the author based on the following passage:
'We have built cities of concrete that choke the earth, and we celebrate our progress while the rivers turn black with waste and the forests vanish into memory. This is not advancement; it is a slow, documented suicide.'
'We have built cities of concrete that choke the earth, and we celebrate our progress while the rivers turn black with waste and the forests vanish into memory. This is not advancement; it is a slow, documented suicide.'
Show Hint
1. Look for extreme words like "choke", "waste", and "suicide". Such loaded terms indicate a passionate, emotional, and highly critical tone (condemnatory) rather than an objective or indifferent one.
2. Eliminate opposite options (like laudatory) immediately to narrow down your choices.
2. Eliminate opposite options (like laudatory) immediately to narrow down your choices.
Updated On: Jun 8, 2026
- Laudatory and proud
- Objective and detached
- Cynical and condemnatory
- Apathetic and indifferent
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
1. This question requires us to analyze the tone of the author based on a short, intense prose passage criticizing modern human development and its environmental impact.
2. The tone of a passage refers to the author's attitude or emotional state toward the subject matter, which is conveyed through their choice of vocabulary, imagery, and sentence structure.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Firstly, let us analyze the vocabulary used by the author:
- "concrete that choke the earth" (highly negative, suffocating imagery)
- "rivers turn black with waste" (disgusted, critical observation)
- "forests vanish into memory" (sorrowful, pessimistic outlook)
- "not advancement; it is a slow, documented suicide" (extremely critical, sharp rejection of human claims of progress)
2. Secondly, let us define the terms in Option (C):
- "Cynical" refers to a deeply skeptical attitude towards human motivations, values, or claims of achievement. The author is cynical of human "celebrations of progress", arguing that this progress is a delusion.
- "Condemnatory" means expressing strong disapproval, blame, or censure. The author is strongly condemning modern industrialization and urbanization by calling it a "suicide".
3. Thirdly, let us look at why other options are incorrect:
- Option (A) "Laudatory and proud" means praising and feeling pleased. This is the exact opposite of the passage, as the author rejects any pride in concrete cities.
- Option (B) "Objective and detached" means being neutral, unbiased, and showing no emotion. The strong metaphors like "choke" and "suicide" show that the author is highly emotional and not detached at all.
- Option (D) "Apathetic and indifferent" means not caring or having no interest. The author is very passionate and deeply concerned about the state of the planet, so this option does not apply.
Step 3: Final Answer:
1. The author's tone is highly cynical of human progress and strongly condemnatory of environmental destruction.
2. This matches Option (C).
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