SCOPE The Fall of the House of Usher Quiz

What purpose do the three modern-day teens serve in the play? Choose TWO.

• A. They help the Ushers achieve their goals.

• B. They set the story up for readers in Scene 1 and wrap it up in Scene 8.

• C. They provide important background information about Madeline’s illness.

• D. They provide a bit of lightness and humor in an otherwise intense story.

What is the overall mood of the play?

• joyful and light

• dark and creepy

• exciting and adventurous

• romantic and dreamy

Consider this line from Scene 3: Roderick: Oh Charlie, I am as jumpy as a cat. This line contains a ______.

• metaphor that highlights Roderick’s excitement about Charlie’s visit

• simile that describes Roderick’s curiosity

• simile that shows how nervous Roderick is

• metaphor that describes Roderick’s determination to figure out the mystery of the house

In Scene 3, Roderick says, “It’s not just that. I can eat only the blandest food. I can stand only the softest fabrics against my skin. The smell of flowers makes me ill, and I am tormented by even the faintest light.” Which is the best definition of tormented?

• faced with difficulty or uncertainty about what to say, think, or do

• experiencing extreme physical or mental suffering

• feeling satisfaction or delight

• feeling or showing rage

Which pair of words best describes Roderick’s reaction to Madeline’s death in Scene 4?

• shock and confusion

• relief and peacefulness

• guilt and shame

• distress and sorrow

Which of the following lines from the play best supports that Rodrick was in distress?

• A. Charlie: Roderick, I am so sorry.

• B. SD1: In his parlor, Roderick stands at an easel, painting.

• C. Roderick: Oh Charlie, I feel as though my heart has been wrenched from my chest.

• D. Roderick: The house would not like that.

What happens to the House of Usher at the end of the story?

• It is sold to a new family.

• It collapses into the tarn after a lightning strike.

• It mysteriously vanishes without a trace.

• It is abandoned and left to decay over time.