The ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone: List 1

On the ACT Reading Test, you will almost certainly encounter questions that ask about an author's tone — that is, the author's attitude toward their subject matter. Master our comprehensive collection of common words used to describe an author's tone, and you'll be well prepared to tackle these questions.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. adversarial
    characterized by feelings of intense dislike or hostility
    “There’s going to be a lot of disagreement when we get to the details, but it’s not as adversarial as one might imagine.” Washington Times (Dec 1, 2020)
  2. skeptical
    marked by or given to doubt
    He looked to me and added, “Your highly skeptical friend may not believe me at all. That notwithstanding, it is true.” The Inquisitor's Tale
  3. optimistic
    hopeful that the best will happen in the future
    In public, Katherine Goble was unfailingly gracious, optimistic, and unflappable, and she insisted that her girls acquit themselves in the same fashion. Hidden Figures
  4. pessimistic
    expecting the worst possible outcome
    Consumers are growing more pessimistic about the future, according to the latest University of Michigan confidence gauge. Washington Post (Nov 14, 2020)
  5. objective
    undistorted by emotion or personal bias
    Even when decision-makers try to be objective, their judgments are influenced by financial incentives. Scientific American (Dec 3, 2020)
  6. sincere
    characterized by a firm belief in your opinions
    “A lot of people are cynical about it, but I think he was really sincere about it,” Goldberg said. Los Angeles Times (Nov 19, 2020)
  7. nostalgic
    unhappy about being away and longing for familiar things
    It seems some people are feeling a bit nostalgic for a simpler time, online and off. The Verge (Dec 8, 2020)
  8. ambivalent
    uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
    The feelings are very ambivalent, very mixed, but it’s mainly just couched in so much grief and so much personal mourning. Los Angeles Times (Jun 24, 2020)
  9. anxious
    causing or fraught with or showing nervousness
    He turned and saw Helvi’s anxious, questioning face close to his own, and beyond that her mother’s. The Incredible Journey
  10. mocking
    expressing contempt or ridicule
    “What disgraceful behavior!” he exclaimed in a mocking tone so familiar that it made her teary. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
  11. critical
    marked by a tendency to find and call attention to flaws
    “You might be surprised at how unwilling people are to turn a critical eye on themselves.” Anger Is a Gift
  12. assertive
    aggressively self-assured
    His tone is assertive but not triumphal; he’s beyond gloating. New York Times (Jun 18, 2020)
  13. disdainful
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    The two leaders share a chilly, almost disdainful relationship. Washington Post (Apr 2, 2019)
  14. philosophical
    meeting trouble with level-headed detachment
    But she was philosophical, and it was not her way to quarrel very deeply with herself or with life. Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn
  15. belligerent
    characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight
    He strutted around with a belligerent and tough attitude. Where the Red Fern Grows
  16. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    His tone was wistful, with a hint that the fate of legacy would soon be in someone else’s hands. Washington Post (Nov 24, 2020)
  17. bitter
    proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity
    He laughed, not in a mean or bitter way, but just like he thought she was funny. A Place to Belong
  18. ecstatic
    feeling great rapture or delight
    "Everyone is ecstatic and also excited about the future," she said. BBC (Nov 26, 2020)
  19. effusive
    uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
    Stars flooded social media with effusive tributes to the late icon. Fox News (Aug 16, 2019)
  20. callous
    emotionally hardened
    I felt rather exhausted, and wondered, rather shocked at my callous thought, why old people were sometimes such a strain. Rebecca
  21. reflective
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    This more reflective, more personal moment in arts criticism may widen the audience for arts writing. Washington Post (Nov 25, 2020)
  22. pensive
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    Her father was quiet for the first few miles, and Stella did not disturb his pensive mood. Stella by Starlight
  23. perceptive
    having the ability to understand
    Finally, thanks to an unusually perceptive academic adviser who taught African American studies, she applied for and got a paid summer internship at the Studio Museum in Harlem. Los Angeles Times (Jun 19, 2020)
  24. condescending
    characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance
    Jack didn’t say this in a mocking or condescending tone. Book Scavenger
  25. cynical
    believing the worst of human nature and motives
    As you are not playing downstairs, or peacefully abed, a cynical person might wonder what you are doing at this late hour, and if you are up to no good. The Name of the Wind
Created on Mon Dec 14 12:46:56 EST 2020 (updated Tue Dec 15 10:00:41 EST 2020)

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