Read the passage. excerpt from "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe
It was in this apartment, also, that there stood against the western wall, a gigantic clock of ebony. Its pendulum swung to and fro with a dull, heavy, monotonous clang; and when the minute-hand made the circuit of the face, and the hour was to be stricken, there came from the brazen lungs of the clock a sound which was clear and loud and deep and exceedingly musical, but of so peculiar a note and emphasis that, at each lapse of an hour, the musicians of the orchestra were constrained to pause, momentarily, in their performance, to hearken to the sound; and thus the waltzers perforce ceased their evolutions; and there was a brief disconcert of the whole gay company…
Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this story. Which statements best explain how the sensory language affects the tone in this excerpt?
Select each correct answer.
The sensory language creates a joyful tone;
the guests are elated at the lavish party and beautiful music.
The use of words like dull, clang, and monotonous create an ominous tone.
The sensory language creates a suspenseful tone;
everyone pauses as the clock chimes disrupt their waltz.
Words like musical and gay create a positive and welcoming tone.