I need help taking a test in English about the book chocolate wars ch 1-6

Which three sentences in this excerpt from arthur conan doyle's "the contest" suggest that the author's tone is mocking?

What is a brief and often humorous statement of truth or opinion such as a watched pot never boils

How might an author with the opposite attitude rephrase the following sentence? this historic building is a local treasure, with a distinctive exterior and many antiques and fascinating artwork on the inside. choose the correct answer from the following choices, and then select the submit answer button. it's a shame this old building hasn't been torn down yet: its ugly design makes it an eyesore, and it is full of rickety furniture and dusty paintings. this building was built over 100 years ago and features a design not seen on many other buildings of the era as well as a large collection of furniture and art. the old man running the antiques shop watched the kids with suspicion, worrying they would not handle his fragile merchandise with proper care. it is vital that we preserve the history of our town by taking care of buildings like this one, with its interesting design and outstanding collection of art and furniture.