In line 6, Annie says she “just escaped the whitewashed, brick-walled, iron-gated prison that is commonly known as middle school.” What term best describes Annie’s tone toward middle school?

Line 6- Annie: It says, “Dear This American Life, I just escaped the whitewashed, brick-walled, iron-gated prison that is commonly known as middle school, and I’m finally out for good. But in all the time I’ve listened to your show, I’ve never heard an episode devoted to what goes on inside the walls of a middle school. I hope you'll think about it. Anonymous.”

A critical
B hesitant
C regretful
D devastated

A. Critical

Explanation:

Annie uses the words "iron-gated prison" to describe the middle school. Obviously, middle schools are not literally prisons, but when described as prisons, one can believe that Annie truly felt as if the institution limited her freedom and kept her "chained" to schoolwork.

With this kind of attitude toward school, it would only be natural for the answer to have something to do with dislike.

B) Annie doesn't feel hesitant (which means cautious) because she clearly expresses her thoughts very bluntly.

C) She is definitely not regretful because she's glad to have "escaped" from the school.

D) If Annie is not regretful, then she cannot be devastated (which, in this scenario, is basically just a more extreme version of regretful).

Thus, the answer is A (critical) because she's very keen on pointing out the negative aspects of the school.

Hope this helps!

lets g