Which line best shows the author’s tone as skeptical?

Which line best shows the author’s tone as skeptical?

• A. The line with enthusiastic praise.
• B. The line presenting data without interpretation.
• C. The line with cautious language and critical wording.
• D. The line that uses humorous exaggeration.

Answer: (C)

A skeptical tone shows doubt about the claims and a willingness to question the evidence. The line that uses cautious language and critical wording best signals this stance because it foregrounds doubt rather than agreement or entertainment. It invites scrutiny by hedging, qualifying, or critiquing the evidence—phrases that imply the author isn’t fully convinced and wants readers to pause and consider potential weaknesses. Think about what those features look like in practice: cautious language might include doubts, caveats, or calls for more evidence, signaling the author isn’t taking things at face value. In contrast, enthusiastic praise expresses strong support and certainty, a line presenting data without interpretation stays neutral and unevaluative, and humorous exaggeration shifts toward humor rather than a measured doubt about the claims.

A skeptical tone shows doubt about the claims and a willingness to question the evidence. The line that uses cautious language and critical wording best signals this stance because it foregrounds doubt rather than agreement or entertainment. It invites scrutiny by hedging, qualifying, or critiquing the evidence—phrases that imply the author isn’t fully convinced and wants readers to pause and consider potential weaknesses.

Think about what those features look like in practice: cautious language might include doubts, caveats, or calls for more evidence, signaling the author isn’t taking things at face value. In contrast, enthusiastic praise expresses strong support and certainty, a line presenting data without interpretation stays neutral and unevaluative, and humorous exaggeration shifts toward humor rather than a measured doubt about the claims.