Read the excerpt from Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher."

The word "unnerved" suggests that the narrator is too frightened to portray events accurately. This connotation of fear and agitation implies that the narrator's emotional state may impair their ability to provide a reliable account of what is happening, thus indicating their unreliability.

Read the excerpt from Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher."

Its evidence -- the evidence of the sentience -- was to be seen, he said, (and here I started as he spoke,) in the gradual yet certain condensation of an atmosphere of their own about the waters and the walls. The result was discoverable, he added, in that silent, yet importunate and terrible influence which for centuries had moulded the destinies of his family, and which made him what I now saw him -- what he was. Such opinions need no comment, and I will make none.

Based on this excerpt, the narrator seems
supportive of Usher’s theory.
skeptical of Usher’s theory.
curious about the history of the house.
analytical about the history of the house.

Based on the excerpt, the narrator seems skeptical of Usher’s theory. The phrase "I started as he spoke" and the lack of agreement or positive commentary on Usher's ideas suggest a degree of doubt or disbelief in the narrator's response to Usher's beliefs about the influence of the house on his family.

Read the excerpt from Poe’s “The Tale-Tell Heart”.

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! I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him.
What is the effect of parallelism in this excerpt?
It emphasizes the narrator’s mission.
It emphasizes the narrator’s hatred for the old man.
It emphasizes the narrator’s belief that he is insane
It emphasizes the narrator’s belief that he is sane.

The effect of parallelism in this excerpt is that it emphasizes the narrator’s belief that he is sane. The repetition of phrases like "with what caution," "with what foresight," and "with what dissimulation" highlights the narrator's insistence on his meticulous and rational approach to his actions, suggesting that he believes his careful planning demonstrates his sanity rather than madness.

Read the excerpt from Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher."

It was, perhaps, the narrow limits to which he thus confined himself upon the guitar, which gave birth, in great measure, to the fantastic character of his performances.

What does this excerpt reveal about the narrator of the story?
It describes what the narrator knows from his past.
It describes what the narrator experiences.
It provides an inference drawn by the narrator.
It provides a criticism voiced by the narrator.

This excerpt provides an inference drawn by the narrator. The statement suggests that the narrator is interpreting the correlation between Usher's limited approach to playing the guitar and the unique qualities of his performances. This reflects the narrator's analytical perspective rather than presenting a straightforward fact or description of experience.

Read the excerpt from “The Tell-Tale Heart,” by Edgar Allan Poe.

I talked more quickly—more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men?—but the noise steadily increased.
What is the effect of parallelism in this excerpt?
It emphasizes the narrator’s paranoia.
It emphasizes the narrator’s anger.
It emphasizes the narrator’s grief.
It emphasizes the narrator’s confusion.

The effect of parallelism in this excerpt emphasizes the narrator’s paranoia. The repeated phrase "the noise steadily increased" highlights the narrator's growing anxiety and sense of dread as he becomes increasingly aware of the sound that torments him, reinforcing his unstable mental state and escalating feelings of paranoia.

Read the excerpt from Poe’s "The Fall of the House of Usher."

His eyes were bent fixedly before him, and throughout his whole countenance there reigned a stony rigidity. But, as I placed my hand upon his shoulder, there came a strong shudder over his whole person; a sickly smile quivered about his lips; and I saw that he spoke in a low, hurried, and gibbering murmur, as if unconscious of my presence.

Which statement best describes the effect of narration on the story?
The narration cultivates apathy for Usher’s illness.
The narration cultivates concern about the men’s friendship.
The narration cultivates dread about Usher’s mental decline.
The narration cultivates hatred for Usher and his sister

The statement that best describes the effect of narration on the story is: **The narration cultivates dread about Usher’s mental decline.** The description of Usher's stony rigidity, the shudder that overtakes him, and his low, hurried, and gibbering speech all contribute to an atmosphere of unease, highlighting his fragile mental state and creating a sense of dread regarding his condition.