Lexington and Concord
The majority of history scholars agree that the open warfare portion of the American War for Independence began in two small Massachusetts towns: Lexington and Concord. To stop the British from discovering military supplies hidden in Concord, the American Minutemen attempted to stall or halt the British Regulars in Lexington Common.
While the opposing factions were facing off against one another, a shot was fired from an unknown source, causing hostilities to break into violence. After the skirmish at Lexington settled, multiple people from both sides lay dead and the British continued their way toward Concord.
Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?
A.
Nostalgic
B.
Patronizing
C.
Skeptical
D.
Objective
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Objective.
Explanation:
The passage presents a factual account of the events that occurred at Lexington and Concord, which are recognized as the starting points of the American Revolutionary War. The tone of the passage is best described as objective due to its straightforward, neutral presentation of historical facts without any discernible bias, emotion, or personal opinion.
Here’s a breakdown of why “objective” is the most fitting description of the tone:
- Neutrality: The passage focuses on providing a factual recount of the events without expressing any emotional or evaluative judgments. It describes the actions taken by both the American Minutemen and the British Regulars and the resulting violence in a manner that does not lean towards glorifying or condemning either side.
- Factual Presentation: It states specific events — the attempt to stall the British Regulars, the unknown shot fired, and the subsequent casualties — all of which are presented as historical facts. The use of terms such as “skirmish,” “dead,” and “British continued their way” maintains a factual tone.
- Absence of Personal Perspective: The passage does not include any personal opinions, emotional language, or subjective interpretations. It simply recounts what happened without attempting to influence the reader’s perception of the events or the individuals involved.
- Purpose: The primary purpose of the passage is to inform readers about the historical events at Lexington and Concord and their significance in the context of the American War for Independence. This purpose is best served by an objective tone, which aims to convey information clearly and accurately.
In contrast:
- Nostalgic (A) would involve a reflective or sentimental view of the past, which is not present in this passage.
- Patronizing (B) would imply a condescending attitude towards the subjects discussed, which is absent here.
- Skeptical (C) would suggest doubt or questioning of the events or their significance, which is not evident in the passage.
Thus, the objective tone is most appropriate for describing the passage’s presentation of historical facts.