Question

The following diary excerpts, which statement is most clearly using a reference to time to convey a specific tone?

A. Tuesday, April 4th; mild wind.
B. At 8:00 a.m. we found the cattle.
C. I worked from dawn until dusk.
D. After midnight, the party returned.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: C) I worked for dawn until dusk.

From dawn until dusk means from early morning to early evening, meaning that the author of the diary wants to tell that he/she has worked a lot. It makes a change in the tone because it implies a period of time in which efford has been put an as result the writer must be tired.

The other answers tell us at what time an event took place, this usage of a time reference only gives us that information, it locates us in time.

Answer 2

the answer is C. I worked from dawn until dusk.
This sentence use a time reference to convey a serious tone. The time reference from dawn until dusk has the meaning that the speakers has been working really really hard recently and to the point of sacrificing other aspects of the speaker's life.