View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does the narrator meet on one of the staircases?

2. What does the hero of Trist believe himself to be?

3. What color are the tree trunks?

4. What does Usher offer as an example of his belief about plants?

5. What is the "grim phantasm"?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does the narrator describe the door into the vault where they lay Madeline's coffin?

3. What does the narrator think of Roderick's ostensible reason for delaying Madeline's burial?

4. What announcement does Roderick abruptly make one evening?

5. How does the narrator find Roderick's mental state?

6. What is one picture Roderick painted that the narrator describes and says it is not as abstract as the others?

7. Why is the narrator on his way to the House of Usher?

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

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

10. What changes about Roderick's voice in the days following Madeline's death?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many readers of fiction place themselves in the position of one character, wondering if they would do the same thing as that character.

Do you think one of the values of literature is to serve as a reflection of oneself? Why or why not? Socrates said "Know thyself." How can reading a story such as The Fall of the House of Usher help a reader to know him/herself? Do you find yourself reflecting on your own character and abilities when reading The Fall of the House of Usher? Why or why not. Use examples from The Fall of the House of Usher and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a story has more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some stories seem to balance the two.

What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven or action driven? Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why? Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character are developed to the same degree? Why or why not? What type of plot do you think The Fall of the House of Usher is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Define plot and include the definitions of the most important elements of a plot. Do all stories have a plot? Why or why not? Write a brief synopsis of the plot of The Fall of the House of Usher, identifying where the various elements of the plot occur (Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution or denouement). Do you find it difficult to identify the plot? Why or why not? What about the various elements of the plot? Give a brief synopsis of any important sub-plots.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 804 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample