Question

independent practice
read the excerpt from “the fall of the house of usher” by edgar allan poe.
he suffered much from a morbid acuteness of the senses; the most insipid food was alone endurable; he could wear only garments of certain texture; the odors of all flowers were oppressive; his eyes were tortured by even a faint light and there were but peculiar sounds, and these from stringed instruments, which did not inspire him with horror.
what does this description of usher suggest?
a. that he has lost the ability to smell good food
b. that only music can comfort the longing he feels
c. that he longs for sunshine and the comfort it brings
d. that he cannot tolerate sensory experiences

Explanation:

The excerpt describes Usher's suffering from a morbid acuteness of the senses: insipid food is unbearable, flower odors are oppressive, faint light and stringed instrument sounds torture him. Option A is wrong as it's about smell of food (not losing smell ability). Option B: text says stringed instruments' sounds torture him, so music doesn't comfort. Option C: no mention of longing for sunshine. Option D: his sensory experiences (food, odors, light, sounds) are intolerable, matching the description.

Answer:

D. that he cannot tolerate sensory experiences