Question

The author’s assessment of the potential of Mr. Takeshita to be a successful Prime Minister can be summarised as one of:

• A. cautious optimism.
• B. enthusiastic adulation.
• C. objective skepticism.
• D. undisguised derision.

Hint:

Tone-identification questions require you to match the author’s attitude, not just the facts stated — here, the cautious but critical outlook fits “objective skepticism.”

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In the concluding paragraph, the author notes that Takeshita faces difficult challenges — tax reform and trade tensions with the U.S. — and remarks that “there is nothing to show yet that he will be drawing on secret reserves of dynamism.”
This indicates a skeptical but fact-based view of his potential success, grounded in observation rather than hostility or admiration.
Option (a) cautious optimism — incorrect, as there is little suggestion of optimism in the author’s evaluation.
Option (b) enthusiastic adulation — clearly not the tone; the author is reserved and critical.
Option (d) undisguised derision — also incorrect; there is no mockery or contempt in the language used.
Thus, (c) is correct — the tone is skeptical but objective, avoiding emotional extremes.