Edge Level B Unit 5 - Division of Language Arts/Reading

1. Read the sentences from the short story.
Edge Level B
Unit 5
Cluster 3
“The Tell-Tale Heart”
After waiting a long time, I decided to open the lantern a tiny bit. You cannot
imagine how carefully I did so. Finally, a single dim ray, like the thread of a spider,
shot out and fell upon the vulture eye.
What kind of figurative language did the author use in this excerpt?
A. symbolism by saying that the man’s eye shows that he is as dangerous as a vulture
B. hyperbole by saying that the light from the lantern moved so fast, as if it had been shot from
a gun
C. simile by saying that the ray of light was thin like a spider’s web
D. personification by saying that the lantern was able to direct its light only on the eye
LA.910.2.1.7
The correct answer is C.
Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they represent inaccurate
interpretations of descriptive language or figurative language.
The excerpt is found on page 452 and 453. Option A is incorrect because the excerpt does not
contain an example of symbolism. A symbol is a word or phrase that serves as an image of some
person, place, thing, or action but that also calls to mind some other, usually broader, idea or
range of ideas (page 851, Literary Terms). Option B is incorrect because the excerpt does not
contain an example of hyperbole. Hyperbole is figurative language that exaggerates, often to the
point of being funny, to emphasize something (page 846, Literary Terms). Option C is correct
because the excerpt contains an example of simile. Simile is figurative language that compares
two unlike things by using a word or phrase such as like, as, than, similar to, resembles, or seems
(page 850, Literary Terms). Option D is incorrect because the excerpt does not contain an
example of personification. Personification is figurative language that describes animals, things,
or ideas as having human traits (on page 848, Literary Terms).
2. Why were the illustrations on pages 449, 450, and 453 selected to accompany the short story
“The Tell-tale Heart?”
F. They cause the viewer to look at the person’s eyes.
G. They show people with expressions of horror on their faces.
H. They show old men who appear lonely and scared.
I. They cause the viewer to be afraid to meet the people.
LA.910.6.1.1
The correct answer is F.
Options G, H, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect analysis and
interpretation of text features.
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The illustration by Mark Summers on page 449 shows a person’s face with one side completely
in shadow. The eye on the lighted side of the face looks like it is from a sculpture because the
eye has no pupil. The illustration on page 450 is titled “Dying” and is by Theodore Géricault. It
shows the face of a man; it is gaunt and distorted. The illustration on page 453 is titled “Head
III” by Francis Bacon. It shows a man’s face, and from his forehead up the face has become part
of the background. The eyes, especially the left eye, look right at the viewer. Option F is correct
because each of the illustrations seem to draw the viewer’s attention to the eyes of the
illustrators’ subjects. Option G is incorrect because none of the illustrations’ subjects seem to
be horrified, although they may create a feeling of horror in those viewing the illustrations.
Option H is incorrect because not all of the people in the illustrations are old. The subject in the
illustration on page 449 does not seem old; there are no wrinkles or obvious signs of age. The
man shown in the illustration on page 450, although he looks quite sickly, seems not to be too
old because his hair and beard are not white. The man in the illustration on page 453 does
appear old due to his white beard. Option I is incorrect because not all the subjects seem to be
dangerous or scary. The person shown on page 449 looks like a warrior or adventurer due to the
hat/helmet. The man shown on page 450 looks deathly ill, but not scary. The man shown on
page 453, because only part of his head is visible and he seems to be disappearing into the
background, could be considered scary.
3. What technique did Edgar Allen Poe use to develop the plot of “The Tell-Tale Heart?”
A. foreshadowing
B. cliffhanger
C. flashback
D. dialogue among characters
LA.910.2.1.5
The correct answer is C.
Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they represent inaccurate
interpretations of character, point of view, plot development, setting, conflict, or
theme.
Option A is incorrect because the plot is not developed through the use of foreshadowing.
Foreshadowing is a hint that a writer gives about an event that will happen later in a story (page
845, Literary Terms). Option B is incorrect because the plot is not developed though the use of
a cliffhanger. Macmillandictionary.com defines cliffhanger as a situation in which it is not clear
what will happen next. The reader learns at the beginning of the story on page 450 that the
narrator has committed murder, “In fact, I was never kinder to him than during the whole week
before I killed him.” Option C is correct because the plot is developed through the use of a
flashback. Flashback is an interruption in the action of a narrative to tell about something that
happened earlier. It is often used to give the reader background information about a character or
situation (page 844, Literary Terms). “The Tell-Tale Heart” begins with the narrator telling
about how he feels. Then, in a flashback, he moves into telling about his elaborate planning for
an eventual act of murder. Option D is incorrect because the plot is not developed through the
use of dialogue among characters. Dialogue is what characters say to each other. Writers use
dialogue to develop characters, move the plot forward, and add interest (page 843, Literary
Terms). The characters in this short story are the narrator, the old man, a neighbor, and three
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policemen. There is no conversation among the characters. The entire short story is told by the
narrator to the reader.
4. Why did the author give this short story the title “The Tell-Tale Heart?”
F. to show how a younger man’s heart turned cold, leading him to cut out the heart of an older
man with whom he lived
G. to reveal to the reader that one’s conscience will not let a person get away with doing
something as horrific as murder
H. to entertain the reader with a story about an insane person who thinks he is sane because he
can make a good plan
I. to tell a tale about the life of a young man who cared for an older man for many years until
he died of old age
LA.910.1.7.2
The correct answer is G.
Options F, H, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect interpretations
of the author’s purpose or perspective.
Telltale is defined by http://dictionary.reference.com as a thing serving to reveal or disclose
something. Option F is incorrect because the younger man’s heart did not turn cold, he lost is
mind. He did not cut out the heart of the older man; he dismembered him as the reader learns on
page 454, “I thought about the best way to hide the body. Then I cut it into pieces. I cut off the
head and the arms and the legs.” Option G is correct because the imagined sounds of the old
man’s heart still beating beneath the floor boards, louder and louder, are what made the insane
young man tell the policemen what he had done. As the reader learns on pages 456 and 457, “I
could look at their (the policemen) smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! And now,
again, listen! The sound is louder! Louder! …I admit the deed! Tear up the floor boards! It is
the beating of his hideous heart!” Option H is incorrect because the narrator is insane and does
think he is sane because he made a plan. However, this is a major detail in the story, but not the
author’s purpose for writing the story. Option I is incorrect because the man did not die of old
age; the younger man suffocated him.
5. The narrator in “The Tell-Tale Heart” tells the reader that he is not insane for many reasons
EXCEPT
A. He figured out the best way to hide the body of the old man.
B. He felt that he had an exceptional sense of hearing.
C. He did things in a clever and well-planned way.
D. He smiled and welcomed the three police officers.
LA.910.1.7.3
The correct answer is D.
Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they represent plausible but incorrect
distractors based on the text.
Option A is incorrect because the narrator again reminds the reader of his sanity at this point in
the story. As the reader learns on page 454, “If you still think I am mad, you will no longer think
so when I tell you what I did next. I thought about the best way to hide the body. Then I cut it
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into pieces. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs.” Option B is incorrect because he feels
he is able to hear things very clearly. As the reader learns on page 450, “But why will you say
that I am mad? The disease had made my senses sharper…. Above all, my sense of hearing was
sharp. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. How, then, can you say I am mad?”
Option C is incorrect because the narrator thinks that the planning and execution of the murder
shows his sanity, ignoring the fact that committing the murder may not be considered a sane act.
As the reader learns on page 450, “You think I am mad. But a person who is mad knows
nothing. You should have seen me and how wisely I acted. I was cautious, and I planned
ahead.” Option D is correct because as the narrator relates this part of the story, he does not
profess his sanity. As the reader learns on page 455, “Three men entered the house. They
introduced themselves as police officers…. I smiled—for what did I have to fear? I greeted the
officers warmly.
Edge Level B
Unit 5
Cluster 3
“The Raven”
6. Edgar Allan Poe uses alliteration in many lines EXCEPT
F. line 1: “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,”
G. line 27: “But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,”
H. line 3: “While I sat there, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,”
I. line 37: “Open wide I flung the shutter, when, with many a flit and flutter,”
LA.910.2.1.7
The correct answer is G.
Options F, H, and I are incorrect because they examples of descriptive language
or figurative language drawn from the text related to the question being tests.
Alliteration is the repetition of the same sounds (usually consonants) at the beginning of words
that are close together which is seen with the author’s use of pl at the beginning of plane and
plopped (page 842, Literary Terms). Option F is incorrect because it contains an example of
alliteration—the repetition of wea at the beginning of weak and weary. Option G is correct
because it does not contain an example of alliteration. Although two words begin with an s they
make different sounds, /s/ and /st/. Option H is incorrect because it contains an example of
alliteration—the repetition of n at the beginning of nearly and napping. Option I is incorrect
because it contains an example of alliteration—the repetition of fl at the beginning of flung, flit,
and flutter.
7. Read the lines from the poem.
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore!”
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Which word is NOT similar in meaning to token as it is used in this line?
A. sound
B. indication
C. clue
D. sign
LA.910.1.6.8
The correct answer is A.
Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they represent incorrect meanings
(synonyms) of the word being assessed.
The excerpt is lines 27 and 28. The Web site mw4.m-w.com/dictionary defines token as an
outward sign or expression. Option A is correct because it is not similar in meaning to the
word being assessed. Sound is defined by macmillandictionary.com as something that you can
hear. Option B is incorrect because it is similar in meaning to the assessed word. Indication is
defined by macmillandictionary.com as a sign that something will happen, is true, or exists.
Option C is incorrect because it is similar in meaning to the word being assessed. Clue is
defined by macmillandictionary.com as a piece of information that helps explain a situation or
provide a solution to a problem. Option D is incorrect because it is similar in meaning to the
word being assessed. Sign is defined by macmillandictionary.com as a piece of evidence that
something is happening or that something exists.
8. Which illustration that accompanies “The Tell-Tale Heart” could also be used with “The
Raven?”
F. the illustration on page 455
G. the illustration on page 453
H. the illustration on page 449
I. the illustration on page 456
LA.910.6.1.1
The correct answer is H.
Options F, G, and I are incorrect because they represent incorrect analysis and
interpretation of text features.
Option F is incorrect because it does not agree with the content of “The Raven.” As the reader
learns on page 463 in line 68 a chair is referenced in the poem, “Soon I wheeled a cushioned seat
in front of bird and bust and door. However, on page 463 in lines 75-77 the reader learns more
about the appearance of the chair which does not match the chair pictured in the illustration, “…I
sat divining, with my head at ease reclining / On the cushion’s velvet lining which the lamp-light
shining…” The chair in the illustration does not have a cushion on its back. Option G is
incorrect because it does not agree with the content of “The Raven.” Although the reader does
not know the age of the man who narrates “The Raven,” the reader does know that there is light
in the bedroom where the poem is set. In the illustration the man is becoming part of his dark
background, and this is not what happens in “The Raven.” Option H is correct because it does
agree with the content of “The Raven.” This illustration is most likely a statue of the Greek
goddess, Athena, known as Pallas in “The Raven.” In the illustration the bird, a raven, in
perched on her head as the reader learns on page 461, lines 38 and 41, “In there stepped a noble
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Raven from the ancient days of yore….Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my bedroom
door…” Option I is incorrect because it does not agree with the content of “The Raven.” It
shows a person who is suffering greatly in agony. Although the narrator in “The Raven” is
mourning for Lenore, Poe does not tell the reader that he is suffering to the degree shown in the
illustration.
9. Read the stanza from the poem.
So I sat engaged in guessing, but without a word expressing
To the bird whose fiery eyes now burned into my spirit’s core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion’s velvet lining which the lamp-light shined all over,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light shining o’er,
She shall touch, ah, nevermore!
What form of figurative language does Poe use in these lines?
A. symbolism by comparing his love to a cushion
B. pun by using divining and guessing to mean the same thing
C. personification by portraying a bird as someone with which to have a conversation
D. metaphor by comparing the gaze of the Raven to a fire
LA.910.2.1.7
The correct answer is D.
Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they represent inaccurate
interpretations of descriptive language or figurative language.
This stanza is found on page 463 and includes lines 73-78. Option A is incorrect because the
excerpt does not contain an example of symbolism. A symbol is a word or phrase that serves as
an image of some person, place, thing, or action but that also calls to mind some other, usually
broader, idea or range of ideas (page 851, Literary Terms). Option B is incorrect because the
excerpt does not contain an example of a pun. A pun is an expression, used for emphasis or
humor, in which two distinct meanings are suggested by one word or by two similar-sounding
words (page 849, Literary Terms). Option C is incorrect because the excerpt does not contain
an example of personification. Personification is figurative language that describes animals,
things, or ideas as having human traits (on page 848, Literary Terms). Option D is correct
because the excerpt contains an example metaphor. Metaphor is a type of figurative language
that compares two unlike things by saying that one thing is the other thing (page 847, Literary
Terms).
10. The short story “The Tell-Tale Heart” and the poem “The Raven” are similar in many ways
EXCEPT
F. The narrators both show signs of insanity.
G. Both works focus on death.
H. Sound plays a pivotal role in each work.
I. The narrators are both mourning the death of someone dear to them.
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LA.910.1.7.7
The correct answer is I.
Options F, G, and H are incorrect because they represent correct comparisons.
Option F is incorrect because neither narrator behaves in a sane manner. The narrator in “The
Tell-Tale Heart” spends a great deal of time trying to convince the reader that he is sane while he
behaves in an abnormal way. The narrator in “The Raven” tries to have a conversation with a
large bird who answers every question with the same word, “Nevermore.” Option G is incorrect
because both works do focus on death. “The Tell-Tale Heart” is about the murder of an old man
and the thoughts and actions of his murderer; “The Raven” is built around the death of Lenore
and the mourning of the narrator for her. Option H is incorrect because sound is important to
both works. In “The Tell-Tale Heart” the narrator thinks the sound of the dead man’s beating
heart must be heard by the police officers and so he confesses to the murder. In “The Raven” the
narrator hears a tapping at his door, but no one is there. The tapping is heard again at the
window, and, when it is opened, the Raven enters the bedroom. Option I is correct because both
narrators are affected by the death of someone near to them; however, only the narrator of “The
Raven” is in mourning. As the reader learns on page 455 the narrator is almost happy, “I
smiled—for what did I have to fear? I greeted the officers warmly…The officers believed me. I
was at ease. They sat there for a while, chatting about everyday things.” However, in “The
Raven” the narrator is in mourning. As the reader learns on page 459, lines 9-11, “…I had tried
but failed to borrow / Help from books to cease my sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore…”
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