The Tell-Tale Heart

Which two sentences best explain how Poe creates irony, a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, in the story?

• The narrator's attempt to hide the murder actually result in him giving himself up to the police.

• The narrator chooses to commit the murder in the middle of the night, when the old man is asleep.

• The more the narrator insists that he is not mad, the more readers can detect evidence of his madness.

• The narrator's neighbor hears the old man shriek and summons the police out of concern for his safety.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.5.7

CCSS.RL. 6.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.K.6

How does the narrator's mention of his sharpened sense of hearing in paragraph 1 hint at the old man's death?

• It foreshadows the point when the old man's heartbeat drives the narrator to kill him.

• It foreshadows the narrator's ability to hear the police coming to check on the old man.

• It foreshadows the narrator's decision to murder the old man partly due to his loud voice.

• It foreshadows the time when the old man's sleep is disturbed by the narrator at the door.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.3.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Which definition best fits how the word acute is used in paragraph 1?

• Sharp or severe

• keenly perceptive

• less than ninety degrees

• high in pitch

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

Read the excerpt from paragraph 2.

I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! He had the eye of a vulture - a pale blue eye, with a film over it.

Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold...

How does the author create suspense in this excerpt?

• By identifying the source of the narrator's irrational fear

• By explaining why the narrator wants to avoid the old man

• By describing how unhealthy the old man looks to the narrator

• By repeating words to emphasize the narrator's skill as a criminal

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.3.4

CCSS.RL.K.4

In paragraph 4, the narrator describes going to the old man's room every night around midnight.

Why is he unable to commit the murder for the first seven nights?

• He needs to have more light in order to see his victim.

• He cannot see the old man's eye, so he lacks the motivation to act.

• He cannot sneak into the room because the old man is a restless sleeper.

• He wants to be merciful, so he gives the old man a few more days to live.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.1.6

Which definition best fits how the word profound is used in paragraph 4?

• showing great insight or understanding

• deeply felt or held

• intense

• far-reaching

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.2.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

How does the author create suspense in paragraph 4?

• By explaining the narrator's reasons for the murder

• By having the narrator repeat the old man's words

• By describing the narrator's anxiety and fear

• By showing the narrator's repetitive actions

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Which two quotes from paragraph 4 support how the narrator shows repetitive actions?

• And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it - oh, so gently!

• I moved it slowly - very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep.

• ...and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye.

• So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

In paragraphs 14-15, the narrator's tone in describing his cleanup and the first encounter with the police is one of -

• anxiety

• confidence

• indifference

• melancholy

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Poe's extensive use of dashes in the last two paragraphs is effective because it -

• slows down the story so it is easier for readers to understand

• suggests that the police know every detail about the crime

• helps readers to learn about the narrator's true motives

• highlights the narrator's increased nervousness

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.1.4

CCSS.RL.2.4