Question

4 “Is there a problem?” Immanuel’s father asked, tapping his shoulder. He was eager to do one last thing for his son, but he also felt Immanuel needed to be independent. And he didn’t want the boy to worry, so he fought to keep his tone light and casual. For the moment, he succeeded.
5 “No problem.” The agent stamped the paperwork, handed it back, and gave Immanuel a yellow boarding pass decorated with a jumping kangaroo. Appropriate, she thought. The kid’s jumping out into the world, all right. Lucky to be starting out, looking forward to an adventure.
6 How can I do this? Go so far from home? What was I thinking?
7 Immanuel’s mother worked to control her emotions. She wanted him to be happy and confident about taking this big step, going to a university in a different country.
8 Immanuel then kissed and hugged his parents. They seemed so calm. Don’t they care? I feel as if I don’t mean anything to them. Why don’t they say anything?
9 As they watched him walk toward the airplane, Immanuel’s father suddenly grabbed his wife’s hand and sobbed. Her eyes filled with tears.
10 Immanuel turned back for a last look and was surprised to see his parents’ emotions. He smiled, and waved. Then he laughed in relief.
11 I think I can do this.

Read the dictionary entry for light.

light 1. n. energy given off by the sun 2. n. a source of light, such as a lamp 3. adj. cheerful and free from care 4. adj. low in physical weight; not heavy

Using the dictionary entry, choose the definition and part of speech that best matches the way the word light is used in paragraph 4.
A. noun (“n.”); “cheerful”
B. noun (“n.”); “not heavy”
C. adjective (“adj.”); “cheerful”
D. adjective (“adj.”); “not heavy”

Answer 1

C. adjective (“adj.”); “cheerful”

"Light" modifies "tone" and means cheerful, easy, or carefree.