Question

she said to him ever so many times, graciously waving her tail, \my son, when you find a hedgehog you must drop him into the water and then he will uncoil, and when you catch a tortoise you must scoop him out of his shell with your paw.\ and so that was all right, best beloved.

-\the beginning of the armadillos,\
rudyard kipling

which phrases from the passage convey a comforting tone? check all that apply.

\best beloved\
\scoop him out\
\graciously waving\
\and so that was all right\
\drop him into the water\

Explanation:

Analyze the passage context

The passage is an excerpt from Rudyard Kipling's "The Beginning of the Armadillos." The mother is giving instructions to her son in a gentle, repetitive manner ("ever so many times"), accompanied by a warm physical gesture ("graciously waving her tail"). The narrator also addresses the reader directly with the affectionate term "Best Beloved" and reassures them with "And so that was all right."

Evaluate each phrase for a comforting tone

• "Best Beloved": This is an affectionate, warm, and intimate term of endearment used by the narrator to address the listener/reader, which directly conveys a comforting and loving tone.
• "scoop him out": This is a physical action instruction regarding how to catch a tortoise. It is neutral/procedural, not comforting.
• "graciously waving": The word "graciously" describes a gentle, elegant, and kind action (waving her tail), which contributes to a soothing and comforting atmosphere.
• "And so that was all right": This phrase acts as a direct reassurance to the listener, resolving any tension or worry, which strongly conveys a comforting tone.
• "drop him into the water": This is a direct instruction of physical action regarding a hedgehog. It is procedural and does not convey comfort.

Select the comforting phrases

The phrases that convey a comforting tone are:

1. "Best Beloved"
2. "graciously waving"
3. "And so that was all right"

Answer:

• "Best Beloved" (Correct answer)
• "scoop him out"
• "graciously waving" (Correct answer)
• "And so that was all right" (Correct answer)
• "drop him into the water"