Reading Comprehension 1. In dramatic irony, the reader understands the meaning of a character’s words and actions, though the character himself does not. Which statement about the narrator of “The Tell-Tale Heart” is an example of dramatic irony?
a. He is not mad because he planned his murder so carefully.
b. His “blood ran cold” when he looked at the old man’s “evil” eye.
c. He thinks, “The old man’s hour had come.”
d. He did not desire the old man’s gold.

2. How does the narrator say he feels about the old man?
a. He is jealous of the old man.
b. He feels love for the old man.
c. He feels frightened by the old man.
d. He is confused by the old man’s behavior.

3. Read the following excerpt.
I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily—how calmly I can tell you the whole story.
What does the narrator suggest by addressing the reader directly?
a. He expects the reader to be impressed by his cunning.
b. He expects the reader to feel sympathy for the old man.
c. He thinks the reader will question whether he is sane.
d. He thinks the reader will understand why he had to kill the old man.

4. Why does the narrator confess to murdering the old man?
a. He is overcome with guilt because the old man never harmed him.
b. He imagines he hears the old man’s heart beating louder and louder.
c. He cannot resist bragging about his cleverness, so he reveals his guilt.
d. He cannot answer the policemen’s questions without making them suspicious.

5. Read this sentence from “The Tell-Tale Heart.”
[But] I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye.
Based on the context, which word BEST defines vexed?
a. angered
b. inspired
c. damaged
d. pleased

6. The narrator of “The Tell-Tale Heart” recalls that, after he led the officers to the old man’s room, he “brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues . . . .” Context clues in the excerpt help you predict that fatigues means
a. suspicious activity.
b. frustrating challenges.
c. recent achievements.
d. tiring work.

Vocabulary

7. Read the following sentence from “The Tell-Tale Heart.”
I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart.
Which part of the sentence is a transitional word or phrase that suggests the narrator has conflicting feelings?
a. I knew
b. and
c. although
d. at heart

8. Which sentence contains a transition that shows cause and effect?
a. The boy was frightened and therefore hid under his blankets.
b. The woman later tried to prove her innocence to the jury.
c. The couple then joined the crowd in front of the theater to buy tickets.
d. The girl was hungry although she had eaten just an hour before.

Language

9. In which of these sentences is a dash or dashes used to indicate a pause or a break?
a. The winning student proudly accepted—the trophy from the principal.
b. The teacher told the class to read the chapter—beginning on page 115.
c. After I took a fall off my bike, I walked—or actually limped—all the way home.
d. Some students are good at—both sports—and academics.

10. In which sentence is the colon used correctly?
a. This year I will visit three countries: France, Spain, and Morocco.
b. This year: I will visit three countries, France, Spain, and Morocco.
c. This year I will visit: three countries, France, Spain, and Morocco.
d. This year I: will visit three countries, France, Spain and Morocco.