Question

Read the opening lines of Sojourner Truth’s speech “Ain’t I a Woman?”

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

What tone do these lines convey?

A.
a formal and reserved tone
B.
a conversational and inquisitive tone
C.
a dissatisfied and pessimistic tone
D.
a hopeful and idealistic tone

Answer 1

The answer is: B. a conversational and inquisitive tone

The tone is the attitude of the speaker regarding a topic. In her speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” Sojourner Truth makes use of a relaxed, straightforward and analytical tone to talk about civil rights. In the same manner, she communicates the idea that the movement toward equality is gaining energy in America.