Which sentence most strongly develops a positive tone?
a. i was happy when i received my first paycheck for my hard work.
b. winter break is approaching quickly, and i cannot wait to go shopping for gifts.
c. going to the beach is one of my favorite activities; i love surfing and paddle boarding.
d. a sense of accomplishment overwhelmed me as i stepped onto the stage that sunny, glorious day of graduation.

The fourth alternative is correct (D).

Among the alternatives, the fourth is the one that passes a greater perception of positivity. The use of the accomplished and glorious words give a positive tone to the passage. Whoever said that phrase is happy, fulfilled with his graduation and describes the characteristics of a beautiful, sunny and glorious day.

"the monkey's paw" is a rare story in that the theme is actually stated in the story. sgt. maj. morris tells the whites that the old fakir who put the spell on the paw said, "fate rules people's lives and those who interfere with fate do so to their sorrow." the message is a warning, but mr. white doesn't believe it. even though sgt. maj. morris makes it clear that he tried wishing with unfortunate results and he tries to throw the paw on the fire,   mr. white makes a wish for 200 pounds only to find that he receives the money when herbert dies in a factory accident. according to the fakir, then, because mr. white had wished for something he should not have had, his son lost his life.

the second wish that mrs. white encourages him to make is for herbert's return--one week after his death. when the strange knocking begins at the door during the windy night, mr. white panicks, believing that the previously dead but still mangled herbert could have walked home from the cemetary and is now at the door. because he fears what his wife will find if she opens the door, mr. white makes his third wish--for the noise to stop.

therefore, he uses his three wishes and to his sorrow, loses his son and disappoints his wife, who fervently believed that their son was at the door. she wanted him back, regardless of his condition.

explanation:

1. both men a determined to break douglass.

2. douglass is still considered to be one of captain anthony's possessions.

3. douglass escapes to freedom in the north and changes his name.

4. the events are usually written from a distance in time.

5. the recording of events in chronological order.