Gill - House Taken Over Review

What does the narrator do after he hears the first sounds in the house?

• He ignores the sounds

• He calls the police

• He runs and locks the door

• He hides under the bed

How does the setting reflect the meaning of 'House Taken Over'?

• The setting represents a peaceful environment

• The setting showcases the aftermath of a war

• The setting is a haunted house

• The setting is a luxurious mansion

Why do you think the narrator reacts so aggressively when he hears the first sound? What is he afraid of?

• He is afraid of the dark

• He is afraid of heights

• He is afraid of spiders

• He is afraid of losing control of the house

Exactly how does Cortázar describe the sounds that the narrator hears?

• Loud and clear

• High-pitched and piercing

• Soft and soothing

• Muted and indistinct

Why do you think Cortázar uses these particular details to describe the sounds? What meaning is he trying to get at here?

• To emphasize the importance of silence

• To highlight the beauty of everyday sounds

• To create a sense of calm

• To evoke a feeling of unease

What is Irene doing throughout most of the story?

• Cooking

• Knitting

• Reading

• Cleaning

What is the significance of her knitting an entire bureau full of clothes, which is obviously far more than she and her brother can use?

• She is preparing for a fashion show

• She wants to donate the clothes

• She plans to sell the clothes

• She is knitting for others within the house

What literary term is used when describing Irene's knitting: "Irene was only interested in the knitting and showed a wonderful dexterity, and for me hours slipped away watching her, her hands like silver urchins..."

• metaphor

• personification

• simile

• alliteration

What evidence do you see in the story that the brother and sister are satisfied with the way things are in their lives? Select all that apply.

• They don't work, they receive income from their family's farm

• They are upper class

• They are lower class

• They have accepted that they sometimes must make sacrifices (ex. moving to the front of the house)

What literary term is used to describe the sentence below.  Why do you think the author used it?  

“It may be Buenos Aires is a clean city, but she owes it to her population and nothing else.”

• alliteration

• allusion

• personfication

• onomatopoeia