Question

Read this line from the text: his action was alternately vivacious and sullen. Pay close attention to the words in this sentence. What meaning is the author trying to convey?

1) Usher was always unhappy.
2) Usher was always happy.
3) Usher's mood was constantly changing.
4) Usher was always energetic.

Answer 1

The author is trying to convey that Usher's mood was constantly changing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The meaning the author is trying to convey in the sentence 'his action was alternately vivacious and sullen' is that Usher's mood was constantly changing. The word 'alternately' indicates a back and forth movement, while 'vivacious' and 'sullen' express contrasting emotions. This shows that Usher's actions and behavior were not consistent, but rather fluctuated between lively and gloomy.