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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. About what does the narrator say Usher had always been excessive and habitual?
(a) Loyalty
(b) Reserve
(c) Laxness in moral character
(d) Affection

2. What does Usher admit in a lucid moment concerning his gloomy outlook?
(a) It is probably due to the extreme overcast weather of late
(b) It is probably because he has not gone anywhere for a while
(c) It is probably because of his sister's absence for the past several months
(d) It is probably due to his severe and long-standing illness

3. What does the narrator notice about Madeline when he and Usher are staring at her in the coffin?
(a) She has a look of horror on her face
(b) She looks to have aged several decades
(c) She has a bit of blush to her cheeks and a lingering smile
(d) She looks incredibly sad

4. What does Roderick Usher hope will happen through a visit by the narrator?
(a) The narrator will cheer up Usher
(b) The narrator will fall in love with Usher's sister
(c) The narrator will endeavor to convince Usher's uncle of Usher's competence
(d) The narrator will convince the judge of the unjustness of the legal situation

5. What does the narrator describe as long and improvised
(a) The paeans to his ancestral lineage
(b) Usher's dirges
(c) The fighting songs the two sang together
(d) Usher's harangues against the gods

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the narrator know Usher is not asleep?

2. What does Usher say he dreads?

3. What else had prepared the narrator for Usher's appearance?

4. What does the narrator say is "cadaverously wan"?

5. What happens to the physical structure of the House of Usher?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the narrator think the house and the family are both called "The House of Usher"?

2. What does Roderick believe he has done to Madeline?

3. What does the narrator do in response to his feelings of unease and who joins him?

4. What seems to be happening in "real" time as the narrator reads?

5. How does Roderick explain his desire to delay the burial of Madeline?

6. What does Roderick seem to vacillate between?

7. Where does Roderick's genius as a painter lie?

8. What does the narrator say about Madeline's appearance when he looked upon her before they sealed the coffin lid?

9. What does the narrator regularly observe Roderick doing after Madeline's death?

10. To what does Roderick say part of his mental state can be traced?

(see the answer keys)

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