The House of Usher
by Edgar Allan Poe from The Fall of the House of Usher
“The Fall of the House of Usher” is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1839. Poe is considered a master of Gothic fiction, which centers on dark and terrifying stories. Poe focuses on psychological terror, as his characters often show madness. This passage is from the opening of “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
Reading Comprehension Passage
The House of Usher
by Edgar Allan Poe from The Fall of the House of Usher
Reading Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary List
Vocabulary List
Each of the vocabulary words below are used in the reading passage. As you read the passage, pay attention to context clues that suggest the word’s meaning.
- aspect
- antiquity
- minute
- dilapidation
- specious
- scrutinizing
- perceptible
- sullen
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) “I scanned more narrowly the real aspect of the building”
a. entrance; gate b. characteristic; appearance c. scenery or setting d. windows
2) “Its principal feature seemed to be that of an excessive antiquity.”
a. age or ancientness b. poor quality; inferiority c. value d. dampness or humidity
3) “Minute fungi overspread the whole exterior”
a. dark green b. tiny; very small c. deadly; dangerous d. 60 seconds
4) “this was apart from any extraordinary dilapidation”
a. evaluation or judgment b. beauty or grace c. ruin; disrepair d. restoration; care
5) “reminded me of the specious totality of old wood-work which has rotted for long years”
a. special; unique b. large quantity c. complex d. deceptively attractive or appealing
6) “Perhaps the eye of a scrutinizing observer might have discovered a barely perceptible fissure”
a. investigating; examining b. unkind or hateful c. professional d. casual or uninterested
7) “Perhaps the eye of a scrutinizing observer might have discovered a barely perceptible fissure”
a. understandable b. treatable or fixable c. noticeable; obvious d. believable
8) it became lost in the sullen waters
a. foamy or spraying b. gloomy or glum c. dirty; polluted d. deep