PERT Practice Test 2026 – Complete Guide for Exam Prep

The tone of a piece of writing is best described as the author's attitude toward the subject. This encompasses how the author feels about what they are writing, which can influence the way the ideas are expressed and how the reader perceives the work. Tone can range from formal to informal, serious to humorous, and can even include a sense of irony or sarcasm.

Understanding the tone is crucial because it shapes the reader's connection to the content, guiding emotional responses and interpretations. For instance, a sarcastic tone may lead readers to question the seriousness of the subject, while a passionate tone may evoke strong feelings of empathy or urgency regarding the topic. Recognizing this attitude helps readers better understand not only the author's perspective but also the broader implications of the writing itself.

The other options, while related to various aspects of a narrative, do not accurately define tone. The theme deals with the main ideas or messages and character types refer specifically to the roles within the story, while geographical setting pertains to the location and context in which events occur. All of these elements contribute to the overall narrative but do not capture the author's specific attitude, which is central to understanding tone.