The Tell-Tale Heart

Question

Which two sentences best explain how Poe creates irony in the story?

Which two sentences best explain how Poe creates irony in the story?

The narrator’s attempts 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 admits that he could not stop thinking about the old man and about his pale, filmy eye.

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

Answer 1

The two sentences that best explain how Poe creates irony in "The Tell-Tale Heart" are:

1. The narrator’s attempts to hide the murder actually result in him giving himself up to the police.
2. The more the narrator insists that he is not mad, the more readers can detect evidence of his madness.

These sentences highlight the ironic twists in the narrator's actions and perceptions, demonstrating how his attempts to control the situation ultimately lead to his downfall.

Answer 2

The use of a first-person narrator in the story —

The use of a first-person narrator in the story —

allows readers to understand each character’s viewpoint

helps explain how the characters are related to each other

gives readers insight into the narrator’s unstable state of mind

illustrates how the old man treats the narrator from day to day
Question at position 5
5

Multiple Answer
1 point



Question at position 5
Part B

Which two quotes from paragraph 4 best support the answer to Part A?

Part B

Which two quotes from paragraph 4 best support the answer to Part A?

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.

. . . I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night.

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.
Question at position 6
6

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 6
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A

How does the author create suspense in paragraph 4?

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A

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 mans word’s

By describing the narrator’s anxiety and fear

By showing the narrator’s repetitive actions
Question at position 7
7

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 7
Read the dictionary entry below.

profound \prə-found′\ adj 1. showing great insight or understanding 2. deeply felt or held; intense 3. far-reaching 4. situated at a great depth

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

Read the dictionary entry below.

profound \prə-found′\ adj 1. showing great insight or understanding 2. deeply felt or held; intense 3. far-reaching 4. situated at a great depth

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

Definition 1

Definition 2

Definition 3

Definition 4
Question at position 8
8

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 8
In paragraphs 14–15, the narrator’s tone in describing his cleanup and first encounter with the police is one of —

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

anxiety

confidence

indifference

melancholy
Question at position 9
9

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 9
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?

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.
Question at position 10
10

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 10
Which definition best fits how the word acute is used in paragraph 1?

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

Having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; shrewd

Highly developed sense; keen sense

High; shrill

Having a sharp end; pointed

Answer 3

Here are the answers to your questions:

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Question 5 (Part A)
The use of a first-person narrator in the story —
gives readers insight into the narrator’s unstable state of mind.

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Question 5 (Part B)
Which two quotes from paragraph 4 best support the answer to Part A?

1. . . . and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye.
2. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it—oh, so gently!

These quotes reflect the narrator's obsession and unstable mental state regarding the old man's eye.

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Question 6 (Part A)
How does the author create suspense in paragraph 4?
By describing the narrator’s anxiety and fear.

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Question 7
Which definition best fits how the word profound is used in paragraph 4?
Definition 1: showing great insight or understanding.

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Question 8
In paragraphs 14–15, the narrator’s tone in describing his cleanup and first encounter with the police is one of —
confidence.

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Question 9
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 cannot see the old man’s eye, so he lacks the motivation to act.

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Question 10
Which definition best fits how the word acute is used in paragraph 1?
Having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; shrewd.

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Feel free to ask if you have more questions!

Answer 4

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 11
How does the narrator’s mention of his sharpened sense of hearing in paragraph 1 foreshadow the old man’s death?

How does the narrator’s mention of his sharpened sense of hearing in paragraph 1 foreshadow 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.
Question at position 12
12

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 12
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?

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

Answer 5

Here are the answers to your questions:

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Question 11
How does the narrator’s mention of his sharpened sense of hearing in paragraph 1 foreshadow the old man’s death?
It foreshadows the point when the old man’s heartbeat drives the narrator to kill him.

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Question 12
How does the author create suspense in this excerpt?
By identifying the source of the narrator’s irrational fear.

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If you have more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

Answer 6

Question at position 3
3

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 3
Poe’s extensive use of dashes in the last two paragraphs is effective because it —

Poe’s extensive use of dashes in the last two paragraphs is effective because it —

slows down the story so that 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

Answer 7

The correct answer to the question about Poe’s extensive use of dashes in the last two paragraphs is:

highlights the narrator’s increased nervousness.

The dashes create a sense of urgency and anxiety, reflecting the narrator's unstable mental state as he becomes increasingly agitated.