Question

Then a strange blight crept over the area and everything began to change. Some evil spell had settled on the community: mysterious maladies swept the flocks of chickens; the cattle and sheep sickened and died. Everywhere was a shadow of death. The farmers spoke of much illness among their families. In the town the doctors had become more and more puzzled by new kinds of sickness appearing among their patients.

—Silent Spring,
Rachel Carson

Which words and phrases in the passage help create a tone of foreboding? Check all that apply.

“strange blight”
“evil spell”
“mysterious maladies”
“cattle and sheep”
“shadow of death”
“their families”

Answer 1

“strange blight” — yes (suggests an ominous, spreading harm)
“evil spell” — yes (connotes malevolent, supernatural cause)
“mysterious maladies” — yes (unknown illnesses increase dread)
“shadow of death” — yes (explicitly ominous and fatal imagery)

Not selected: “cattle and sheep” and “their families” — these identify who’s affected but don’t themselves create the foreboding tone.