Question

Read the passage given below and pick the option that best fits the question that follows

A village must have some trade; and this village has always been full of virility and power. Obscure and happy, its splendid energies had found employment in wresting a livelihood out of the earth, whence had come a certain dignity, and kindliness, and love for other men. Civilization did not relax these energies, but it had diverted them; and all the special qualities, which might have helped to heal the world, had been destroyed. The family affection, the affection for the commune, the sane pastoral virtues - all had perished. No villain had done this thing: it was the work of ladies and gentlemen who were rich and often clever.

The tone used by the author in the last sentence of the passage is:

• A. Lamenting
• B. Sarcastic
• C. Complimentary
• D. Ironic

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Lamenting

After listing the qualities that were destroyed by civilization, the author states that this destruction was not done by any villain but by the people of the society who were rich and clever. By referring to this destruction as "the work," and the people who caused this destruction as "villains," he indicates that he feels bad about the destruction of the good values that existed in the society. Hence, A is correct.

Sarcasm usually contains some type of humor and words that mean the exact opposite to make fun of someone or something. Such language wasn't found in the last sentence. So, B is incorrect.

We reject the other choices.