Tell-Tale Heart Vocabulary Quiz

Audacity

• a building and the area of land that surrounds it

• shameless daring or boldness

In "The Tell-Tale Heart," the narrator describes the old man's eye as resembling that of a vulture. What does the word "vulture" suggest about the eye?

• It is wise and knowing.

• It is bright and colorful.

• It is sharp and focused.

• It is evil and menacing.

When the narrator claims to have "heard many things in hell," this suggests that he is:

• Literally in hell.

• Experiencing extreme guilt.

• Boasting about his adventures.

• Confused about his location.

The word "acute" is used to describe the old man's eye. In this context, "acute" most nearly means:

• Infected.

• Blind.

• Sharp.

• Sensitive.

The narrator's claim of hearing all things in the heaven and in the earth suggests that he is:

• Omniscient.

• Delusional.

• Scientifically minded.

• A religious figure.

The word "sagacity" is used to describe the narrator. In this context, "sagacity" most nearly means:

• Wisdom.

• Strength.

• Insanity.

• Guilt.

When the narrator describes the beating of the heart as a sound that "a watch makes when enveloped in cotton," this simile suggests the heart's beats are:

• Loud and clear.

• Soft but perceptible.

• Erratic and wild.

• Nonexistent.

The narrator's insistence on his own sanity despite his actions demonstrates an example of:

• Irony.

• Metaphor.

• Simile.

• Personification.

The word "crevice" is used in the story to describe a narrow opening. Based on its use in the story, "crevice" most nearly means:

• A large gap.

• A small crack.

• A deep hole.

• A wide divide.

When the narrator describes his actions as being done with "caution, oh, so much caution," the repetition of the phrase "so much" emphasizes:

• His impatience.

• His meticulousness.

• His speed.

• His strength.