The Tell-Tale Heart: Vocabulary

The disease had sharpened my senses — not destroyed — not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth (par. 1).

What is the meaning of the word "acute" in this selection?

• dangerous

• dreadful

• sharp

• attractive

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily — how calmly I can tell you the whole story (par. 1).

What is the meaning of the word "Hearken" in this selection?

• disegard, ignore

• take a break

• misunderstand

• listen, give attention

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded — with what caution — with what foresight — with what dissimulation I went to work! (par. 3).

What is the meaning of the word "fancy" in this selection?

• decorative

• have affection

• imagine

• make something pretty

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen how wisely I proceeded — with what caution — with what foresight — with what dissimulation I went to work! (par. 3).

What is the meaning of the word "dissimulation" in this selection?

• honesty

• concealment

• copying

• wisdom

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern all closed, closed so that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly — very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep (par. 3).

What is the meaning of the word "cunningly" in this selection?

• slowly, cautiously

• cleverly, craftily

• stupidly, foolishly

• carelessly, recklessly

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

And this I did for seven long nights — every night just at midnight — but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye (par. 3).

What is the meaning of the word "vexed" in this selection?

• bothered

• encouraged

• calmed

• spoke to

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night (par. 3).

What is the meaning of the word "hearty" in this selection?

• cheerful

• uncaring

• angry

• feeble

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers — of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph (par. 4).

What is the meaning of the word "sagacity" in this selection?

• slowness

• ignorance, stupidity

• physical strength

• intelligence, wisdom

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness (for the shutters were close fastened through fear of robbers), and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and I kept pushing it on steadily, steadily (par. 3).

What is the meaning of the word "pitch" in this selection?

• tar

• a musical tone

• throwing a ball

• roof angle

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

He had been saying to himself — "It is nothing but the wind in the chimney — it is only a mouse crossing the floor," or, "It is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp." Yes, he has been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions; but he had found all in vain (par. 7).

What is the meaning of the word "suppositions" in this selection?

• ideas, opinions

• facts, data

• dreams, hopes

• sounds, noises

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4