Use the passage from the “Pregnant Plesiosaur Fossil May Shed Light on Ancient Animal’s Behavior” article to answer the question.

Question

Which statement provides an explanation about the impact of specific word choices on the overall tone of the text?

The author quotes reputable sources familiar with the subject using denotation to establish a formal tone in the text.

The author draws a comparison between the plesiosaur to other reptiles of the time using words with a negative connotation to establish an informal tone in the text.

The author quotes reputable sources unfamiliar with paleontology using denotation to establish a curious tone in the text.

The author draws a comparison to contemporary mammals using words with a positive connotation to establish a friendly tone in the text.

Answer 1

The statement that best provides an explanation about the impact of specific word choices on the overall tone of the text is:

The author quotes reputable sources familiar with the subject using denotation to establish a formal tone in the text.

This choice highlights the use of precise language and authoritative voices, which contributes to a more serious and formal tone in the discussion about the plesiosaur fossil.