Read the excerpt from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning
his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders
and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash; till he
had dust in his throat and eyes, and splashes of whitewash all over
his black fur, and an aching back and weary arms.

How does the author’s word choice help express the tone of the excerpt?

The negative connotations of the words “dust,” “aching,” and “weary” give the excerpt a tone of relaxation.
The negative connotations of the words “dust,” “aching,” and “weary” give the excerpt a tone of tiredness.
The positive connotations of the words “home,” “morning,” and “splashes” give the excerpt a tone of relaxation.
The positive connotations of the words “home,” “morning,” and “splashes” give the excerpt a tone of tiredness.

The negative connotations of the words “dust,” “aching,” and “weary” give the excerpt a tone of tiredness.

Explanation:

Connotation refers to the thoughts, emotions and ideas a word produces, apart from its literal and primary meaning. In that respect, dust invokes the concept of filth and dirt, aching suggests pain and soreness, while weary conveys feelings of exhaustion and fatigue. Thus, the whole excerpt implies a tone of burnout, collapse, and need of sleep or rest, which occurs as a result of the intense cleaning performed by the character.

the following key ideas correctly express the key sentence.

restate key idea: most people can learn to swim in ten short lessons.

restate key idea: the majority of water-accident victims require mouth-to-mouth breathing.

restate key idea: an empty, tightly closed gallon jug will support a tired swimmer.  

restate key idea: first aid is to prevent accidents as well as assist in rescue.

explanation: the key idea needs to have the same topic as the key sentence (drowning and safety).

what play?

explanation: