Educational worksheet on mood and tone in writing, with passages and context clues for analysis.

Let’s go step by step to figure out the tone and mood for each passage, using context clues.

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Passage 1:

> Tim lay in bed. The darkness was so dense and heavy that he felt he could barely breathe. The streetlight outside, which normally cast a bar of light onto the wall was out. It was as if everything in the world had suddenly disappeared but him.

🔹 Step 1: Look at word choices (context clues)
- “darkness was so dense and heavy” → feels oppressive, scary
- “felt he could barely breathe” → panic, fear
- “streetlight... was out” → loss of safety or comfort
- “everything... disappeared but him” → isolation, loneliness

🔹 Step 2: What is the writer’s attitude? (Tone)
The writer isn’t joking or being playful — they’re describing something serious and unsettling. The tone feels serious, maybe even ominous or fearful.

🔹 Step 3: How does it make you feel? (Mood)
As a reader, this makes you feel uneasy, alone, maybe scared. That’s the mood: lonely, scary, or tense.

✔ So for Passage 1:
- TONE: Serious / Ominous
- MOOD: Lonely / Scary / Tense
- CONTEXT CLUES: “dense and heavy darkness,” “barely breathe,” “streetlight was out,” “everything disappeared but him”

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Passage 2:

> The tiny black kitten was a pitiful little creature. Curled in Mary’s mother’s hand, its fur damp and messy, it looked like a smudge. Mary touched it, every so lightly, with the tip of her finger. “Can we keep it?” she asked her mother.

🔹 Step 1: Look at word choices (context clues)
- “pitiful little creature” → shows sympathy
- “damp and messy,” “looked like a smudge” → describes how vulnerable it looks
- “touched it, every so lightly” → gentle, careful action
- “Can we keep it?” → hopeful, caring question

🔹 Step 2: What is the writer’s attitude? (Tone)
The writer seems to care about the kitten and Mary’s feelings. The tone is sympathetic and gentle.

🔹 Step 3: How does it make you feel? (Mood)
You might feel sorry for the kitten, but also warm because Mary wants to help. The mood is sad but hopeful, or tender.

✔ So for Passage 2:
- TONE: Sympathetic / Gentle
- MOOD: Sad but hopeful / Tender
- CONTEXT CLUES: “pitiful little creature,” “damp and messy,” “touched it lightly,” “Can we keep it?”

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Final Answer:

Passage 1:
TONES: Serious / Ominous
MOOD: Lonely / Scary / Tense
CONTEXT CLUES: “dense and heavy darkness,” “barely breathe,” “streetlight was out,” “everything disappeared but him”

Passage 2:
TONES: Sympathetic / Gentle
MOOD: Sad but hopeful / Tender
CONTEXT CLUES: “pitiful little creature,” “damp and messy,” “touched it lightly,” “Can we keep it?”