Exploring the Themes of The Tell-Tale Heart

The narrator, who insists on their sanity, describes their obsession with an old man's eye. Over several nights, they plan and execute a scheme to rid themselves of the eye by killing the old man. After hiding the body, they are visited by neighbors investigating a scream. The narrator's guilt and paranoia lead to a confession, revealing the crime.

Why does the narrator insist that he is not mad?

• Because he is very calm and precise

• Because he is very wealthy

• Because he is very kind

• Because he is very intelligent

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CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What was it about the old man that disturbed the narrator?

• His eye

• His house

• His voice

• His wealth

How did the narrator treat the old man while waiting for the right moment?

• He avoided him

• He argued with him

• He ignored him

• He was very kind to him

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What did the narrator do on the eighth night?

• He called the police

• He left the house

• He decided to act

• He went to sleep

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CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What sound did the narrator hear that drove him to act?

• The sound of footsteps

• The beating of the old man's heart

• The ticking of a clock

• The old man's voice

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CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

How did the narrator conceal the crime?

• He buried the body in the garden

• He hid the body in the attic

• He replaced the planks of the floor

• He threw the body in the river

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What prompted the neighbors to call the police?

• A scream

• A loud noise

• A strange smell

• A missing person report

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CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How did the narrator explain the old man's absence to the police?

• He said the old man was at work

• He said the old man was on vacation

• He said the old man was visiting relatives

• He said the old man had gone to the city

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What did the narrator offer the police to make them comfortable?

• A meal

• A drink

• A tour of the house

• A seat

What ultimately caused the narrator to confess?

• The neighbors accused him

• The police found evidence

• The sound of the old man's heart

• His own guilt

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6