Question

Read the excerpt from an essay about the red wolf. The red wolf, a native of the southern United States, is on the brink of extinction. Its status on the critically endangered list suggests a dire circumstance, despite efforts to restore its population. Its threats include hunting, new construction, and death by motor vehicle. But the most pervasive hindrance to the restoration effort is human ambivalence. Few are willing to serve as defenders of the ‘big bad wolf,’ but the red wolf is in dire need of human assistance. People must disregard this misnomer and offer a measure of human kindness and consideration to this graceful creature. How does the author's word choice affect the tone of the excerpt?

Answer 1

His word choice books you into the seriousness of extinction. He is empathetic.

Answer 2

 The words "dire" and "must "give off a passionate tone.