Question

1. Read this paragraph about a college student who is moving into a new apartment:

I trudged up the stairs to my new apartment, opened the door and shuffled over the threshold. I scrutinized the room which looked sparse and felt closed in. Anxious to get a better view of the surrounding neighborhood, I pried open the windows and was confronted with a puzzling smell, freshly baked bread. Living next to a bakery would really be something. As I sank into the used chair in the middle of the room, I questioned what life away from home would be like. I was anxious to see what would come next.

In this paragraph, the underlined words combine to create a nervous and uneasy tone. How could the passage be rewritten to convey an excited, upbeat tone? Rewrite the passage using your own words to create a more positive passage. Be sure the words you choose have a similar denotative meaning to the words you are replacing.

Answer 1

I jumped up the stairs to my new apartment, opened the door and leaped over the threshold. I admired the room which looked inviting and felt relaxed. Eager to get a better view of the surrounding neighborhood, I threw open the windows and was confronted with an enticing smell, freshly baked bread. Living next to a bakery would really be special. As I sank into the luxurious chair in the middle of the room, I wondered what life away from home would be like. I was excited to see what would come next.

Answer 2

I flew up the stairs to my new apartment, opened the door and skipped over the threshold. I examined the room which looked sufficient and felt generous. Excited to get a better view of the surrounding neighborhood, I threw open the windows and was met with a wonderful smell, freshly baked bread. Living next to a bakery would really be amazing. As I sank into the recycled chair in the middle of the room, I wondered what life away from home would be like. I was ready to see what would come next.