Tone and Mood

Tone and Mood questions are often included in the GED test.

This lesson is a part of Onsego GED Prep.

Video Transcription

On the Language Arts test, you might be asked to evaluate the tone or mood in a passage. These concepts are related to understanding the author’s purpose or viewpoint, even when it’s not directly stated.

Tone reflects the author’s attitude toward the subject they are writing about. It’s the way the author expresses their feelings through word choice and details. Tone can be identified by looking at the specific language the author uses to describe the subject.

Often, tone relates to the emotions or feelings the author wants to convey. Tone words can be positive, negative, or neutral, depending on how the author feels about the subject.

You can recognize tone by paying attention to the words and phrases used. For example, words like “joyful,” “sarcastic,” “angry,” and “serious” help indicate the tone.

Example:

In a sentence like, “The brilliant sun smiled down on the cheerful crowd,” the tone is positive and happy because of the words “brilliant,” “smiled,” and “cheerful.”

Mood, on the other hand, is the overall feeling or atmosphere that the reader experiences while reading a text. While tone is about the author’s attitude, mood is about the reader’s emotional response. Mood is created by the author’s use of descriptive language, setting, and events.

You can recognize mood by the atmosphere the passage creates. Words like “gloomy,” “peaceful,” “tense,” or “exciting” can indicate different moods.

Example:

In a sentence like, “The dark clouds gathered, casting a shadow over the quiet town,” the mood is somber or gloomy because of the words “dark,” “shadow,” and “quiet.”

Sample Test Question:

The old house stood at the end of the street, its windows dark and empty. Every evening, a cold wind would blow through the broken shutters, making the house seem even more frightening. People in the town whispered that the house was haunted, and no one dared to go inside after dark, afraid of what they might find.

What is the author’s tone in this passage?

A) Cheerful

B) Frightening

C) Humorous

D) Cautious

Answer:

B) Frightening

Explanation:

The author’s tone is frightening. The words “dark,” “empty,” “cold wind,” and “haunted” reveal the author’s intention to create a sense of fear and unease. These word choices show the author’s purpose of making the house seem scary and dangerous to the reader, reflecting a tone that is intended to evoke a feeling of fear.

Now that you understand the basics of tone and mood, let’s take a few quizzes to practice identifying them in different passages. This will help reinforce what you’ve learned and prepare you for the types of questions you’ll encounter on the test.

Last Updated on January 11, 2026.