The correct answer is D. trembling.
The word “tremulous” means “shaking or quivering,” and it is often used to describe a person’s voice when they are nervous or afraid. In the context of the sentence, “Speaking in a tremulous tone, he took everybody to task,” it is clear that the speaker is feeling some level of anxiety or fear. This is supported by the fact that they are speaking in a shaky voice, which is a common physical manifestation of these emotions.
The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the speaker’s tone of voice. Option A, “confident,” is incorrect because a confident person would not be speaking in a shaky voice. Option B, “angry,” is incorrect because an angry person would likely be speaking in a loud and forceful voice. Option C, “feeble,” is incorrect because a feeble person would likely be speaking in a weak and quiet voice.
In conclusion, the correct answer to the question “Speaking in a tremulous tone, he took everybody to task” is D. trembling.