"The Tell-Tale Heart" Vocabulary Terms

"Above all was the sense of hearing acute."

What does the word "acute" mean in the above sentence?

• The narrator's sense of hearing helps him be more cautious and paranoid.

• The narrator's sense of hearing is annoying and bothers him.

• The narrator's sense of hearing is sharp and precise.

• The narrator's sense of hearing makes him more bold and daring.

"You should have seen how wisely I proceeded—with what caution—with what foresight—with what dissimulation I went to work!"

What does the word "dissimulation" mean in the above sentence?

• The narrator is being precise and sharp with the way he is working.

• The narrator is intelligent and using good judgment when he works.

• The narrator is hiding and disguising his true intentions as they work.

• The narrator is being charming and smooth as he works.

Each time I've come close to being caught, I cunningly slipped away.

What does the word "cunningly" mean in the above sentence?

• I was annoyed and irritated as I got away.

• I was was cautious and distrustful as I got away.

• I was able to disguise the way I got away.

• I was able to sneakily get away in a smart and thoughtful way.

The child kept vexing his mother because he asked the same questions over and over.

What does the word "vexing" mean in the above sentence?

• The child was holding back and was resisting her.

• The child was annoying his mother with his repeated questions.

• The child was being cautious and careful when he was asking questions.

• The child was being charming every time he kept asking his mother a question.

Because of their professor’s sagacity in teaching, the medical students had no problem passing the exam.

What does the word "sagacity" mean in the above sentence?

• The professor used good judgment when teaching the students, which helped them pass.

• The professor was bold and daring when he was teaching his students.

• The professor moved his hands and arms around a lot when he was teaching his students.

• The professor intentionally misled his students, and this caused them to fail.

John often has to refrain from saying mean things when he gets upset, or he will hurt people's feelings.

What does the word "refrain" mean in the above sentence?

• John is passionate about the way he say things.

• John has to hold himself back when he says things.

• John has to be cautious and careful when he says things.

• John has to be quick-witted and sharp when he say things.

Rachel was wary when she stepped into the haunted house, but she was encouraged by her friends.

What does the word "wary" mean in the above sentence?

• Rachel was annoyed she had to go inside.

• Rachel was being charming and smooth when she went inside.

• Rachel was overly cautious about going inside.

• Rachel held herself back when she went inside.

Smiles and suavity will only get you so far on a romantic date.

What does the word "suavity" mean in the above sentence?

• Being smart and using good judgment will always get you a date.

• Using lots of hand gestures will get you a date.

• Being careful and cautious will only get you so far while on a date.

• Being charming will only get you so far while on a date.

After Carlos studied all night for the test, his teacher had the audacity to ask if he cheated.

What does the word "audacity" mean in the above sentence?

• Carlos used good judgment and intelligence to pass his test.

• Carlos's teacher was annoyed that he did well on the test.

• Carlos's teacher was being cautious when she asked if Carlos cheated.

• Carlos's teacher was being too bold and daring with her accusations towards Carlos.

My cat sat in a strange, reposed state next to the door.

What does the word "reposed" mean in the above sentence?

• The cat was very still and not moving.

• The cat forcefully and passionately moved along the door.

• The cat was being sharp and quick-witted next to the door.

• The cat was being bold and daring next to the door.