The ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone: List 2

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. didactic
    instructive, especially excessively
    Knowledge of bees and beekeeping is worked so naturally into the story that it never becomes didactic. New York Times (Jul 17, 2020)
  2. curious
    eager to investigate and learn or learn more
    Even for the observant and curious, the details are difficult to find. BBC (Nov 23, 2020)
  3. contemplative
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    The episode hit all the tones I wanted: intense, tragic, contemplative, and redemptive. Slate (Nov 25, 2020)
  4. defensive
    attempting to justify something or avoid criticism
    She tried to sound calm, rational—not defensive or combative. Strange the Dreamer
  5. defiant
    boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
    I thought I was going to be brave and defiant, but I just fell apart. Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho
  6. dejected
    affected or marked by low spirits
    To some, he sounded hopeful and determined, to others, dejected and pained. New York Times (Oct 21, 2019)
  7. arrogant
    having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance
    His voice was low, and he recognized the tone, superior and arrogant, as bragging. Son
  8. diplomatic
    marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people
    Unlike the general’s guarded and diplomatic manners—he didn’t correct me when I continued to call him “General Sahib”—Khala Jamila made no secret of how much she adored me. The Kite Runner
  9. dire
    fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
    The nurse who made the dire, detailed assessments insisted they were accurate, despite all evidence to the contrary. Los Angeles Times (Dec 9, 2020)
  10. astonished
    filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise
    The three of them formed an astonished trinity as they stared at Mr. Dacus with disbelief. The Great Santini
  11. averse
    strongly opposed
    The court is notoriously averse to change, including adopting new technology. Reuters (May 3, 2020)
  12. dismayed
    struck with fear, dread, or consternation
    He looks at it, astonished and dismayed, and then quickly pulls it inside his sleeve. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
  13. disparaging
    expressive of low opinion
    Critics called these women “suffragettes,” a word intended to be disparaging, but the women embraced the term as one of power and rebellion. Votes for Women!
  14. jovial
    full of or showing high-spirited merriment
    Instead of loud, lively chatter and jovial laughter, their conversation was all hushed whispers. Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution
  15. appreciative
    having or showing a favorable critical judgment or opinion
    He remembered a tall man with a ginger beard, and the cheering and whooping of an appreciative audience. American Gods
  16. dispassionate
    unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
    She isn’t the cool dispassionate narrator we are used to seeing. New York Times (Jun 23, 2020)
  17. dubious
    not convinced
    There’s no nod for this part, just a knit brow and a dubious frown. The Running Dream
  18. earnest
    devout or heartfelt
    She looks so earnest, so sincere, smiling her sweet smile. Al Capone Does My Shirts
  19. aggravated
    provoked to anger, especially deliberately
    The more he fooled around, the more aggravated I became. Three Little Words: A Memoir
  20. agitated
    troubled emotionally and usually deeply
    “I” statements, she added, keeps the focus on your own behavior, and clarifies your own swirling feelings if you’re agitated. New York Times (Oct 19, 2020)
  21. elated
    exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
    He was so elated that his celebratory dance drew a yellow card. Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference
  22. apathetic
    marked by a lack of interest
    It’s not that they’re apathetic or even dispassionate—it’s that they think of yelling as something done by disgruntled dads in family movies from the nineteen-eighties. The New Yorker (Jul 31, 2019)
  23. empathetic
    showing ready comprehension of others' states
    Habitually putting himself in other people’s shoes, he was in his private life charming and engaging, generous and genuinely empathetic. Seabiscuit: An American Legend
  24. befuddled
    perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
    The befuddled reply was disheartening: “I just saw your message about a wire transfer today. What is this about?” Washington Times (Dec 26, 2018)
  25. inspirational
    serving to uplift the mind, spirit, or creative powers
    The one-hour show will share inspirational stories of generosity from individuals and organizations. Seattle Times (Nov 19, 2020)
Created on Mon Dec 14 12:47:04 EST 2020 (updated Wed Jan 27 10:16:48 EST 2021)

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