Final answer:
The word that best describes the mood of the passage from 'The Awakening' is consternation. Literary excerpts often contain distinct moods, ranging from dramatic suspense to a subdued reflective atmosphere. These moods are portrayed through the characters' actions and the descriptive language used by the authors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word that best describes the overall mood of the passage from Kate Chopin's 'The Awakening' is consternation. This is demonstrated in the husband's exclamation of 'out!' and his genuine surprise and concern as to why his wife had to go out on Tuesday. The situation creates a sense of alarm which is reflected in the husband's tone and actions, such as laying down the vinegar cruet and looking at her through his glasses with a perplexed demeanor.
Similarly, passages from other literature pieces, such as the excerpt that features a man seeing a familiar scene at his own home, which turns into darkness and silence after he experiences a shocking blow, also generate distinct moods. This alternation of hope and despair effectively establishes a dramatic and suspenseful mood.
In contrast, the snippet where Georgiana sees the faded crimson hand in the mirror after waking depicts a moment of relief and faint joy, suggesting a more subdued and reflective mood. Lastly, Aylmer's state of mind being highly-wrought when approaching his wife with a goblet indicates a mood filled with tension and anticipation.