Question

Lying down was not an option, nor could we all sit down. We decide to take turns sitting. There was little air. The lucky ones found themselves near the window; they could watch the blooming countryside. After two days travel, thirst became intolerable, as did the heat. There was still some food left. But we never ate enough to satisfy our hunger. Our principle was to economize, to save for tomorrow. Tomorrow could be worse yet.

–Night,
Elie Wiesel

What is the author’s tone in this passage?

Which pair of words from the passage best reveals this tone?

Which sentence provides the best evidence to support this tone?

Answer 1

Tone: bleak/resigned (somber and hopeless).

Pair of words: "intolerable" and "worse" (as in "thirst became intolerable" and "Tomorrow could be worse yet").

Best-evidence sentence: "Tomorrow could be worse yet." — it expresses resignation and a grim expectation that things will only decline.