"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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

"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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4