Listen to the manner of criticism
Read for meaning first. Select a highlighted word if you want a closer look.
In a second discussion, the presenter made a caustic remark about the committee's planning skills, turning a legitimate concern into a cutting personal jab. His sardonic comment that another delay was exactly what the project needed conveyed bitter mockery rather than sincere approval. Beneath his later polite words, an undertone of resentment remained noticeable in the emphasis he placed on certain names. The tutor asked the class to examine both the claims being made and the manner in which they were delivered.
One student rewrote the caustic criticism as a specific question about the missed deadline, preserving the concern while removing the personal attack. Another explained that the sardonic praise meant the opposite of literal enthusiasm and carried a grimly mocking edge. The undertone of resentment was subtler, so listeners compared the wording and context rather than claiming certainty from a single sound. Attention to tone helped them interpret the exchange without treating every criticism as hostile or every polite phrase as warm.
Before you move on
Look away from the passage. Can you explain each focus word in your own words?
Original fictional passages for vocabulary practice.