Question

Read the following paragraph and tell me if it has a positive or negative connotation and why. You must identify and use at least 3 specific words from the paragraph that helped you reach your conclusion. When the young marshal strolled onto the filthy main street of 1885 Tombstone, Arizona, he worried that a hidden killer might be lurking behind the pile of broken wagon parts on the left, so he walked slowly and carefully. He looked cautiously, staring, squinting through the noonday sun’s glare. Nothing! A light film of summer dust clung to his leather boots; the ever-present particles in the air made him cough quietly. A sudden movement to his right startled him, and his gun left his holster quickly, but he saw only a scrawny mutt digging in the dust for a previously chewed bone. He grimaced and hesitantly put the revolver back.

Answer 1

Answer: The connotation of the paragraph is negative. The words that help reach this conclusion are "filthy," "hidden killer," "worried," "carefully," "cautiously," "staring," "squinting," "cough quietly," "startled," "grimaced," and "hesitantly." All of these words convey a sense of danger and unease, suggesting that the young marshal is in a hostile environment where he does not feel safe.

Step-by-step explanation: