Question

Read the excerpt from the passage.

I know not how it was but, with the first glimpse of the building, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit. I looked upon the scene before me; upon the mere house, and the simple landscape—upon the bleak walls—upon the vacant eye-like windows, upon a few rank marsh plants, and upon a few white trunks of decayed trees with an utter depression of soul which I can compare to no earthly sensation.

How does the author's word choice evoke a sense of place?

A.
The author's word choice suggests that the House of Usher is desolate.
B.
The author's word choice suggests that the House of Usher is old.
C.
The author's word choice suggests that the House of Usher is grotesque.
D.
The author's word choice suggests that the House of Usher is terrifying.

Answer 1

A. The author's word choice suggests that the House of Usher is desolate.

Words and phrases like "insufferable gloom," "bleak walls," "vacant eye-like windows," "rank marsh plants," and "decayed trees" create an image of emptiness, decay, and isolation, evoking a desolate setting.