Problem 10 - Entrance Test

Read the passage below, and then choose the best answer to the question that follows. The company's profits have increased significantly over the past year. The author's tone in this sentence can best be described as

A. A) optimisticB. B) pessimisticC. C) neutralD. D) sarcastic

Correct: A

The correct answer is A) optimistic. The author's tone is optimistic because the sentence reports a positive trend (an increase in profits) without any negative or critical commentary. The use of the word "significantly" to describe the increase in profits suggests a positive emphasis. Choice B is incorrect because the tone is not pessimistic or negative. Choice C is incorrect because the tone is not entirely neutral, as it implies a positive assessment of the company's performance. Choice D is incorrect because the tone is not sarcastic or mocking.