Question

read the passage from sugar changed the world.
some of the enslaved took the next step. running away from the sugar plantations, or attacking them in force, was another kind of statement. when the enslaved africans could not stand their lives anymore, they risked everything to run or to fight. there was just one way for the owners to silence their workers, by making the price of flight or rebellion too high. spreading terror was the job of the overseers.
how does the authors use of the word silence affect the tone?
silence has a negative connotation, indicating that the mill owners wanted a quiet workplace.
silence has a positive connotation, indicating that quiet workers are productive workers.
silence has a negative connotation, indicating that the owners would not tolerate protests.
silence has a positive connotation, indicating that enslaved people took part in wordless protests.

Explanation:

The passage discusses enslaved people running or fighting. The owners' way to "silence" workers was by making the price of flight/rebellion too high (spreading terror). "Silence" here is about stopping protests (as the workers were rebelling). A negative connotation as it's about suppressing (not wanting protests). The first option about a quiet workplace is too mild. The second option's positive connotation for productivity is wrong. The fourth option's positive connotation for wordless protests is incorrect as the owners' "silence" is about suppression.

Answer:

Silence has a negative connotation, indicating that the owners would not tolerate protests.