Unit 7D: Poetry and Poe Practice Test

Which answer BEST explains how the setting affects the poem "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass?"

• The outdoor setting creates a place where a snake can appear and disappear mysteriously.

• The outdoor setting creates a place where the speaker’s imagination feels free.

• The outdoor setting creates a place where the speaker’s cries for help are not heard.

• The outdoor setting creates a place where the temperature changes drastically.

In "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," what TWO images is the simile “as with a comb” meant to compare in the mind of the reader?

5 The grass divides as with a comb.

• A snake separating grass into two sections

• A snake separating from skin it has shed

• The individual teeth of a comb dividing

• A comb separating grass into two sections

• A comb separating hair into two sections

In "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," what does the imagery of the “whip-lash” (lines 13–16) suggest about a snake?

• A snake can curl up and stay very still or straighten out and move incredibly fast.

• A snake can shed its skin, leaving a copy of itself behind in the grass.

• A snake can make a hissing sound, which mimics the sound of a whiplash moving quickly through the air

• A snake can have scaly skin that appears wrinkled when viewed from a distance.

In "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass," which passage from the poem BEST suggests that the speaker is scared of snakes?

• “The grass divides as with a comb, / A spotted shaft is seen;” (5–6)

• “Yet when a child, and barefoot, / I more than once, at morn,” (11–12)

• “I feel for them a transport / Of cordiality” (19–20)

• “Without a tighter breathing, / And zero at the bone.” (23–24)

In a staged version of “The Cask of Amontillado,” which tone of voice should an actor use to represent the narrator’s feelings toward Fortunato?

• Admiring

• Disgusted

• Peaceful

• Embarrassed

What would most likely be MISSING if the story, "The Cask of Amontillado," were written from Fortunato’s point of view?

• The reader would not know that Montresor was angry with Fortunato

• The reader would not know how Fortunato feels about Montresor.

• The reader would not know that Montresor offered to consult with Luchesi.

• The reader would not know that the vaults below Montresor’s home are damp and encrusted with nitre.

A student is writing a paragraph arguing that Montresor (the narrator) uses flattery to trick Fortunato into coming home with him. Which of the following passages from the story is NOT a good example to include in this paragraph?

• “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day!” (5)

• “‘I have my doubts,’ I replied; ‘and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter.’” (7)

• “As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me—” (13)

• “And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own.” (15)

In paragraph 76 of "The Cask of Amontillado," Montresor describes a “long and obstinate silence” coming from the recess where Fortunato is. What is Montresor implying when he calls Fortunato’s silence “obstinate” (or stubborn)?

• That Fortunato is unconscious

• That Fortunato is trying to upset Montresor

• That Fortunato is trying to trick Montresor

• That Fortunato is whispering

Answer explanation

When someone is being stubborn, what are they trying to do? Are they trying to anger someone?

Remember that this story is from Montresor's point of view, so we have to think from his perspective.

Reread this passage from paragraph 77 of "The Cask of Amontillado":

"A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back. For a brief moment I hesitated—I trembled. Unsheathing my rapier, I began to grope with it about the recess: but the thought of an instant reassured me. I placed my hand upon the solid fabric of the catacombs, and felt satisfied."

In a movie about the story, which two expressions or gestures could an actor make to BEST emphasize Montresor’s emotions in this moment?

• First: Eyes rolling with annoyance

  Later: Fist shaking threateningly

• First: Eyebrows frowning in confusion

  Later: A sigh of relief

• First: A chuckle of embarrassment

  Later: A gasp of recognition

• First: Eyes wide with terror

  Later: A small grin of satisfaction

Reread this sentence from paragraph 89 of "The Cask of Amontillado":

“For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.”

What information about the story does this sentence convey?

• Ghosts have been haunting Montresor’s crypt.

• The events of the story were all a dream

• Fifty years have passed since the events of the story

• It will take 50 years for someone to discover Fortunato’s body