The correct answers are:
- "exposing their precious devices"
- "when it looks like rain"
- "formal umbrellists"
In literature, the tone of an author expresses his attitude and emotions towards his piece of writing. As a result, a comic tone is the writer's perspective which is intended to cause laughter. In this passage, the humorous lines exaggerate simple words like umbrella, no rain and people fond of umbrellas, in order to create a hilarious sense in the reader.
Finally, the phrases "created with a purpose" and "the history of the umbrella" do not serve a funny intention.