<p>First of all, I truly appreciate any advice and deeply apologize if someone has posted the same thread already (in which case please provide me with the link).</p>
<p>My problem is that I often encouter difficulty when facing 'What is the tone of the passage' question. I recently read a passage which exposes illegal acts done by a logging company, with some mocking ('It seems Metsahallitus wants to have its cake and eat it too - friendly talks with environmental groups at the same time they keep logging critical habitat'). Thus, when asked about the tone, I thought it was either 'casual sarcasm' or 'furtive anger', but the answer turned out to be 'urgent warning'.</p>
<p>I am not asking why the answer is like that, for I am aware that the information I provide is insufficient. I am not quoting the whole passage either, since it's very long. What I'd like to know is, how can I overcome this kind of question?</p>
<p>My teachers tell me that I should learn vocab and read novels / newspapers often. I have followed their advice, but I see little help it brings about. How should I read a novel to be able to realize this 'tone'? In a novel there is a series of event going on, so it's easy to see if a character is mocking or panicking. But SAT reading is usually an essay expressing the author's view about a certain subject, so I supppose I'll have to get used to the author's writing?</p>
<p>Again, you have my wholehearted appreciation.</p>