The answer is: Serious and forceful.
Tone: Is an attitude of a writer toward a subject or an audience. Tone is generally conveyed through the choice of words, or the viewpoint of a writer on a particular subject. In this case Lake´s words give the impression he is being serious and forceful.
To study history & philosophy she experienced the disintegration of free inquiry and the takeover of the university by communist thugs.
Simile. i hope this helps?
