Tone Terms: Set 1

Question 1

A literary composition, in verse of prose, in which human folly and vice are help up to scorn, derision, or ridicule. (Humorous)

Answer 1

Satiric

Question 2

Determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason; capricious. (Positive)

Answer 2

Whimsical

Question 3

Possessing or demonstrating profound, often systematic knowledge; scholarly. (Neutral)

Answer 3

Learned

Question 4

Extremely serious; grave; dull or dark. (Negative)

Answer 4

Somber

Question 5

A form of satire in which trivial subjects, characters, and events are treated in the ceremonious manner and with the elevated language and elaborate devices; characteristics of the heroic style. (The common is made to seem heroic). (Humorous)

Answer 5

Mock-Heroic

Question 6

Lacking confidence in one’s own ability (Negative)

Answer 6

Diffident

Question 7

When the outcome of a situation is opposite of what one would expect, usually fo humorous or sarcastic effect. (Neutral)

Answer 7

Ironic

Question 8

Holding back or being kept in check. not saying what one might want to say. (Negative)

Answer 8

Restrained

Question 9

Expressing sorrow, often for something lost or someone who has past. (Negative)

Answer 9

Elegiac

Question 10

Expressing extreme contempt or dislike for something. (Negative)

Answer 10

Disdainful

Question 11

Experiencing or exhibiting nostalgia, a sentimental or wistful yearning for the happiness felt in a former place, time, or situation. (Neutral)

Answer 11

Nostalgic

Question 12

Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation. (Positive)

Answer 12

Sanguine

Question 13

Filled with feelings of fear and wonder. (Neutral)

Answer 13

Awestruck

Question 14

Absent of emotion esp. when talking about exciting or upsetting information. (Neutral)

Answer 14

Matter-of-Fact

Question 15

Humorous in a clever and often ironic way. (Humorous)

Answer 15

Wry

Question 16

Simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action. (Neutral)

Answer 16

Ambivalent

Question 17

Having reference to something implied or inferred; containing, abounding in, or characterized by allusions (Implying something without actually naming it). (Neutral)

Answer 17

Allusive

Question 18

Overly concerned with minute details, a narrow focus on the trivial aspects of learning. Striving for the utmost correctness, eliminating ambiguity. (Neutral -> Negative)

Answer 18

Pedantic

Question 19

Characterized or demonstrating strong displeasure at something unjust, offensive, insulting, or base. (Negative)

Answer 19

Indignant

Question 20

Good humored or playful in tone, exchanging teasing remarks. (Positive)

Answer 20

Bantering

Question 21

Frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness, speaking fluently and confidently, without knowledge or consideration. (Negative)

Answer 21

Flippant

Question 22

To deal with something or someone in a patronizingly superior manner. (Negative)

Answer 22

Condescending

Question 23

Displaying an offensively condescending manner, or assuming a position of superiority. (Negative)

Answer 23

Patronizing

Question 24

Not meant to be taken seriously or literally; assuming or humorous. (Humorous)

Answer 24

Facetious

Question 25

Extremely objective and realistic; dispassionately analytic and unemotional. (Neutral)

Answer 25

Clinical

Question 26

Pretending to be serious. (Humorous)

Answer 26

Mock-serious

Question 27

Arousing passion or strong emotion, especially anger. (Negative)

Answer 27

Inflammatory

Question 28

Characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings; charitable. (Positive)

Answer 28

Benevolent

Question 29

A literary or dramatic work that ridicules a subject either by presenting a solemn subject in an undignified style or an inconsequential subject in a dignified style. (Humorous)

Answer 29

Burlesque

Question 30

Not based on fact; unreal. whimsical. (Positive)

Answer 30

Fanciful