Question

read the excerpt from amy tan’s essay \mother tongue.\
i know this for a fact, because when i was growing up, my mother’s \limited\ english limited my perception of her. i was ashamed of her english. i believed that her english reflected the quality of what she had to say. that is, because she expressed them imperfectly her thoughts were imperfect.
which word best describes tan’s language in this excerpt?
○ academic
○ authoritative
○ conversational
○ playful

Explanation:

To determine the word describing Tan’s language, analyze each option:

• "Academic" implies formal, scholarly tone (e.g., complex jargon, structured arguments), but the excerpt uses simple, personal language. Eliminate.
• "Authoritative" suggests a tone of expertise or command, which is not present here (the text is personal reflection, not directive/knowledge - sharing). Eliminate.
• "Conversational" fits: the language is informal, personal, and mimics a relatable, spoken - like style (e.g., “I know this for a fact,” “I was ashamed...”).
• "Playful" is incorrect, as the tone is serious and reflective, not light - hearted or humorous.

Answer:

C. conversational