Tonal Shifts - Written Multiple Choice Test. For students to practice noting shifts and changes in the tone of the written expression of argument by another student.

1. English Tonal Shift Activity
1. “Speciesare goingup insmoke at an untoldrate.It isalmostcertainlythe greatest
environmental disasterof the 21st century – so far. Andthe media?It’stalkingaboutthe dress
the Duchessof Cambridge wore tothe James Bondpremiere,DonaldTrump’sidiocydujour”
Thissectionswitchesfroma____ tone to a _____ tone.
a. Pessimistic,Optimistic
b. Angry,Fearful
c. Concerned,Disbelieving -
d. Agreeable,Patriotic
2. “Surelythere are some resourcesandsome places – suchas the Arcticand the deepsea–
whose exploitationshouldsimplystop? All thisdrillinganddiggingandtrawlinganddumping
and poisoning –whatis itfor,anyway?”
Thissectionswitchesfroma____ tone to a ____ tone.
a. Exasperated,questioning -
b. blase,angry
c. Happy,sad
d. Concerned,blase
3. “Thisis goingtoo far,if don’tdo anythingthe worldwill be destroyed.Thankfully,itispossible
for usto stop this,andwe will.”
Thissectionbeginswitha_____ tone,before switchingtoaoptimistic,determinedtone.
a. Concerned -
b. Exasperated
c. Angry
d. Sad
4. I feltpainedatbeingawayfromhome – cut off inrural Cambodia – at a time like this,impotent
and powerless. The quake hasleftthousandsdead,manymore injuredandevenmore without
shelter.
What tone doesthissection startwith,andwhat tone doesitshiftto?
a. Angry,Concerned
b. Formal,Informal
c. Pessimistic,Frustrated
d. Sorrowful,Informative
5. The reactionto Corbynfailingtosingthe anthemwaslike a collectiveshriekof:“Kneel before
Zod!” It’soddto thinkthat JeremyCorbyn,of all people,isconsiderednon-conformist.
Thissectionstartswitha _____ tone before switchingtoa____ tone.
a. Angry,Sarcastic
b. Bemused,thoughtful
c. Sardonic,frustrated
d. happy,sad

2. 6. Where isthe tonal shiftinthe followingsection?
The deaths(1) occuringthe fightagainstISISare a cause fordespair,(2) but we are winning.ISIS
has (3) beendrivenbackseveral (4) timesnow.
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
7. These greedy(1) corporationsare happyto bleedourplanetdryand(3) poisonourair justto
gainsome extracash. (4) Despite this,we finallywe standachance at haltingclimate change in
its(2) tracks.
Where doesthe tone shiftinthissection?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
8. People likethese are soself-centredthatthey’dratherwatchourplanetburnthan try to fix the
problem.Despitethis,thingsare finallylookingupinthe battle againstclimate change.
Thispiece changesfroma _____ tone to a _____ tone.
a. Angry,Pessimistic
b. Contemptuous,Optimistic
c. Saddened,Frustrated
d. Enraged,Concerned
9. We standa chance againstthe robot horde,butour worldleadersare tooself-centredtounite.
What tone doesthissectionstartin,and whattone doesit shiftto?
a. Optimistic,Pessimistic
b. Blase,Angry
c. Concerned,Optimistic
d. Upset,Frustrated
10. It seemsanimage (1) of humantendernessthatSudanislovinglyguardedbyarmedmen (2)
whostand vigilantlyandcaringlywithhim. (4) Butof course itis an image of brutality (4).
At whatpointdoesthissectionshiftitstone?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
11. The rise of capitalism(1) wasa boonto everyone livinginthese nations.(2) Nowadaysthough,
(3) the systemisstartingto fail (4).
Where doesthissection’stone shift?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4

3. 12. Here’sa fact, itis gettingharderandharderfor youngpeople tobuya home.Why?Because no
one iswillingtofix the problematthe core of thisissue.
Thispiece startswitha ____ tone and endswitha ____ tone.
a. Informative,Pessimistic
b. Optimisitc,Pessimistic
c. Informative,Frustrated
d. Uplifted,Sad
13. He remindedusthatitis withinourowngrasp tobecome a betterperson. (1) That’swhat I took
fromthe video. (2) Butthen,afteraboutfive seconds, (3) IrealisedwhatSonnyBill Williamshad
actuallydone. (4) He’sruinedcompetitive sportforever.
Where doesthissectionshiftitstone?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
14. We have a chance to resolve the NorthKoreacrisispeacefullythroughtalksandsanctions.Or
we wouldif DonaldTrumphadn’tthreatenedtoutterlydestroythem.
Thispiece startswitha ____ tone and endsona ____ tone.
a. Optimistic,Frustrated
b. Frustrated,Pessimistic
c. Elated,Angry
d. Sorrowful,Optimistic
15. The nuancesof hisfinancial situationhave hardlystemmedthe tide of hatredandsmirks. Why
do people love tohate 50 Centso much?
What tone doesthissectionstartwith,andwhat tone doesitshiftto?
a. Upset, Frustrated
b. Disdainful,Curious
c. Angry,Elated
d. Elated,Contemptuous
16. Andit’sdepressingbecausecommentatorslike myself,whotalkaboutrace quite alot,like to
thinkthat (1) – thoughour societyisheavilyracistagainstall sortsof ethnicgroups – (2) we
racial minoritiesare somehow (3) immune tothe pervasivemessagessentoutdaily. (4) Thisis
proof that we’re not.
Where doesthissection’stone shift?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4

4. 17. Thisblatantattack on our valuescannotbe allowedtocontinue.Thankfully,peopleare already
rallyingtostopthishappening.
Thispiece startswitha ____ tone and endswitha ____ tone.
a. Angry,Sorrowful
b. Frustrated,Elated
c. Disdainful,Angry
d. Angry,Optimistic
18. The opportunitiesavailable tousinspace are so tantalizing.Butwe have to focuson our own
problemsfirst.
Thissectionchangesfroma ____ tone to a ____ tone.
a. Excited,Grounded
b. Grounded,Upset
c. Elated,Pessimistic
d. Frustrated,Concerned
19. Whenwe finallyreachMars, we will have somanyopportunitiestoexpandourknowledge!But
the risksof sucha journeyare veryserious.
Thissection’stone startsvery____ but it shiftstoa more ____ tone.
a. Excited,Frustrated
b. Angry,Concerned
c. Excited,Angry
d. Excited,Concerned
20. Exploringthe solar(1) systemisverydangerous.(2) However,(3) the potentialfordiscoveryis
too big(4) to ignore.
Where doesthissection’stone shift?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4