Passage (Michael Faraday, *The Chemical History of a Candle*, Lecture I, 1860–61): "I purpose, in return for the honour you do us by coming to see what are our proceedings here, to bring before you, in the course of these lectures, the Chemical History of a Candle. I have taken this subject on a former occasion; and were it left to my own will, I should prefer to repeat it almost every year — so abundant is the interest that attaches itself to the subject, so wonderful are the varieties of outlet which it offers into the various departments of philosophy. There is not a law under which any part of this universe is governed which does not come into play, and is touched upon in these phenomena. There is no better, there is no more open door by which you can enter into the study of natural philosophy, than by considering the physical phenomena of a candle. And before proceeding, let me say this also — that though our subject be so great, and our intention that of treating it honestly, seriously, and philosophically, yet I mean to pass away from all those who are seniors amongst us. I claim the privilege of speaking to juveniles as a juvenile myself." The lecturer's tone in the passage is best characterized as:
Aearnest and welcoming
Bapologetic and self-effacing
Csevere and admonitory
Dflippant and breezy
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. earnest and welcoming
Faraday opens with gratitude ("the honour you do us by coming"), declares his commitment to the subject ("I should prefer to repeat it almost every year"), and invites his audience in with "no more open door." The second paragraph then sets up a familiar address to juvenile listeners. The register is earnest — about the subject — and welcoming — toward the audience.
- **A** would mean Faraday is downplaying his subject; he is doing the opposite — defending it as the *best* introduction to natural philosophy.
- **C** is wrong — there is no scolding, no warning.
- **D** misses the careful, measured commitment in *honestly, seriously, and philosophically*.
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