Which of the following best describes the tone of an article that expresses sadness and a sense of longing?

• A. Humorous
• B. Critical
• C. Respectful
• D. Melancholy

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of 'tone' in the context of psychology and literature. Tone refers to the emotional attitude or mood conveyed by the author through their writing.
2. Step 2: Analyze the key emotional words in the problem: 'sadness' and 'a sense of longing.' These emotions suggest a mood that is reflective, somber, or wistful.
3. Step 3: Review the answer options and their typical emotional connotations: 'Humorous' implies light-heartedness or comedy; 'Critical' suggests judgment or disapproval; 'Respectful' conveys admiration or politeness; 'Melancholy' means a deep, pensive sadness often mixed with longing.
4. Step 4: Match the emotional tone described ('sadness and a sense of longing') with the option that best fits these feelings, which is 'Melancholy.'
5. Step 5: Conclude that the tone of the article is best described as 'Melancholy' because it aligns with the emotional qualities of sadness and longing expressed in the article.