Tone Shift
What is the tone at the beginning of the passage?
Excited / joyful
Which word BEST creates a positive tone at the beginning?
A. Blinked
B. Warm
C. Sugar
D. Ground
B- Warm
Which detail BEST supports the joyful tone at the beginning?
Answer: “smell of popcorn and sugar wrapped around Lila like a warm hug”
What literary element is MOST responsible for creating tone?
Answer: Word choice
What emotion does Lila feel MOST at the end?
Answer: Anxiety / overwhelm
What is the tone in the middle of the passage?
Uneasy / overwhelmed
Which phrase shows the tone starting to change?
A. “best night ever”
B. “music danced”
C. “too loud”
D. “raced toward the rides”
C. “too loud”
Which detail BEST supports the uneasy tone in the middle?
Answer: “music grew louder—too loud”
How does imagery help create tone in this passage?
Answer: It helps readers feel what Lila experiences through sensory details
Why does the carnival feel different by the end?
Answer: Lila’s perception changes, making the same environment feel negative
What is the tone at the end of the passage?
Anxious / distressed
Which word contributes MOST to the negative tone at the end?
A. Laughter
B. Sharp
C. Crowd
D. Exit
B. Sharp
Which detail BEST supports the anxious tone at the end?
Answer: “desperate for quiet, for space”
Why does the author repeat sensory details (sound, smell)?
Answer: To show how Lila’s perception changes as the tone shifts
Which sense (sound, smell, sight) is used MOST to create tone?
Answer: Sound (also smell—good discussion point)
How does the tone change from beginning to end?
Answer: It shifts from joyful and exciting to overwhelming and anxious
How does the phrase “wrapped her arms around herself” affect tone?
Answer: It shows discomfort and anxiety, making the tone more negative
Which detail shows Lila’s feelings WITHOUT directly stating them?
Answer: “She slowed her steps”
How does the setting contribute to the tone?
Answer: The crowded, noisy carnival becomes overwhelming and creates anxiety
How does the author build tension throughout the passage?
Answer: By gradually changing word choice and sensory details
Why is the tone shift important to the passage?
Answer: It shows Lila’s emotional change from excitement to discomfort and helps the reader understand her experience
Which pair of words BEST shows the tone shift?
A. Lights / music
B. Raced / reached
C. Ground / crowd
D. Warm / sickening
D. Warm / sickening
Why is “the laughter… sounded sharp, almost jagged” important?
Answer: It shows how something positive becomes negative, emphasizing the tone shift
How does the author show instead of tell Lila’s emotions?
Answer: Through actions, sensory details, and descriptive word choice instead of directly stating feelings
What message might the author be suggesting through the tone shift?
Answer: Experiences can change depending on emotions / too much stimulation can overwhelm someone