<u>Answer:</u>
<u><em>laugh, sparkles, bubble</em></u>
<u />
<u>Explanation:</u>
The words laugh, sparkles, and bubble best help express a positive tone in the excerpt because of the words' definition and how the word is used in the text.
Here are the definitions of each individual word and how the author uses it in "The Wind in the Willows":
<u><em>'laugh'</em></u>
<u><em /></u>
definition = when someone laughs
in text = <em>"[...] leaving them with a </em><u><em>laugh</em></u><em>, to fling itself on fresh playmates</em>
<em>that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again.</em>
<em />
conclusion = Based on the information we know, we can conclude that the word 'laugh' is being used in a positive tone for the poem. The word has a positive definition and is being used to describe having a good time.
<em><u>'sparkles'</u></em>
<em><u /></em>
definition = to brightly shine; to be vivacious
in text = <em>'All was a-shake and a-shiver-glints and gleams and </em><u><em>sparkles</em></u><em>, rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble."</em>
<em />
conclusion = Based on the information we know, we can conclude that the word 'sparkles' is being used in a positive tone for the poem. The word has a positive definition and so do the words around it. For example, the word 'gleam' means to shine bright, which helps give the positive tone.
<em><u>'bubble'</u></em>
<em><u /></em>
definition = to be filled with a positive feeling
in text = <em>'All was a-shake and a-shiver-glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and swirl, chatter and </em><u><em>bubble</em></u><em>. The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated."</em>
<em />
conclusion = Based on the information we know, we can conclude that the word 'bubble' is being used in a positive tone for the poem. The word has a positive definition and so do the words around it. For example, the word 'fascinated' means very interested and the word 'entranced' means to capture someones attention; fill with delight and/ or wonder, which helps give a positive tone.
Therefore, the first option (<u><em>laugh, sparkles, bubble</em></u>) is the correct answer because they are the words that best help express a positive tone in the excerpt.
