Very often, in entrance exams like CAT, there are questions in Reading Comprehension based on the
"style" of the passage. Such questions can appear in various forms. Some of the forms of such questions
are:
• "Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?"
• "The tone of the passage is….... "
• "The author's approach/tone/style of writing in this passage can be termed/described as....."
Such questions should not be attempted unless you have read the entire passage (unlike certain other
categories of questions which can be attempted without reading the entire passage). Once you read the
entire passage ask yourself what the basic approach/style of the author is (without looking at the answer
choices). Then locate the answer choices and select the one which comes closest to what you thought of
in you mind.
For your understanding a list of words that you should be familiar to answer questions on "tone" is given
below. Please make sure that you understand meanings of the words given in the following table.
Possible Tones and Meanings
Possible Tone Meaning of
Acerbic Harsh/ severe; bitter
Aggressive Forceful; tending towards unprovoked offensiveness
Angry/indignant -
Apathetic Emotionless; not interested/ concerned; indifferent; unresponsive
Apologetic Expressing remorse, regret, sorrow for having failed, injured, insulted or wronged another
Belligerent Aggressively hostile; bellicose
Biased Favouring one thing/person/group over another for personal reasons.
Caustic Biting; acerbic
Commiserating Feeling/ expressing sorrow for; empathizing with; pity
Condescending Patronizing; showing/implying patronising descent from dignity/ superiority
Possible Tone Meaning of
Contemptuous Expressing contempt/ disdain
Cynical displaying a belief that people are always self-seeking and never altruistic in their actions
Derisive Unkind and displaying contempt
Disparaging Speak slightingly; depreciating; belittling
Dogmatic Asserting opinions in an arrogant manner; imperious; dictatorial
Emotional Easily affected by feelings actuated by experiencing love, hate, fear and the like
Ethical Dealing with principles of morality; honest; righteous
Euphemistic Substitution of mild, indirect or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh or
Grandiose More complicated/ elaborated than necessary; pompous
Humanistic Evincing keen interest in human affairs, nature, welfare, values
Humourous Funny and amusing
Introspective Consider one's own internal state of feelings
Incendiary Causing strong feelings
Laudatory Praising; extolling; applauding
Motivating Impelling; inciting
Obsequious Fawning; showing servile complaisance; flattering; deferent
Pedestrian Lacking vitality, imagination, distinction
Populist Egalitarian; pertaining to the characteristics of common people/ working class
Provocative Inciting; stimulating; irritating; vexing
Possible Tone Meaning of
Romantic Fanciful; impractical; unrealistic; extravagant; exaggerated
Sarcastic Harsh, bitter derision; taunting; sneering; cutting remarks
Satirical Ironical; taunting; human folly held up to scorn/ derision/ ridicule
Speculative Theoretical rather than practical; thoughtful; reflective; hypothetical
Technical Using terminology or treating subject matter in a manner peculiar to a particular field, as a
Vitriolic Full of anger and hatred
Vituperative Cruel and angry criticism
