What tells the reader that the passage includes dialogue

Which three sentences in this excerpt from arthur conan doyle's "the contest" suggest that the author's tone is mocking?

Read the exercept from robert stawell ball great astronmers,based on the context of the exerpct what does the word protacted most clearly means? a.seeming to be truthful b.weighing an excessive amount c.extending in a specific decision d.continuing for a long time e.being exceptional and talented

Akeyword should be just as confusing as the word you are trying to learn so you learn to concept them