The letter employs several words and phrases that contribute to a negative tone, such as "disgrace," "rots," "rust," and "garbage." These words evoke a strong sense of decay and neglect regarding Castle Park, emphasizing the deterioration of the once-safe play area. Phrases like "city government refuses to take responsibility" and "concerned citizens... make their own repairs" highlight frustration and helplessness, as the community feels abandoned by local authorities. Additionally, describing the park as "another public junkyard" reinforces the notion of despair and the loss of a valuable community asset, further amplifying the overall negative sentiment of the letter.
Use the excerpt from a letter to answer the prompt:
"The current state of Castle Park is a disgrace to our community. Ten years ago, community groups came together to give our children a safe place to play. Today, the wooden structure rots, the chains on the swing set rust, and garbage covers the ground. The city government refuses to take responsibility for restoring the structure, yet it will not allow concerned citizens to make their own repairs. Our children deserve a safe, clean, functional play space. The city council’s inaction has turned a gem of the park system into yet another public junkyard."
In 3–5 sentences, identify and explain words in the letter that create a negative tone. Support your answer with details from the text.
1 answer