Question

from the tell - tale heart by edgar allan poe
no doubt i now grew very pale - but i talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. yet the sound increased - and what could i do? it was a low, dull, quick sound - much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. i gasped for breath - and yet the officers heard it not. i talked more quickly - more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. i arose and argued about trifles in a high key and with violent gesticulations, but the noise steadily increased.

1. based on context clues in the passage, what is most likely the meaning of the word vehemently?

a. in a high volume
b. with a lot of passion
c. in a flat monotone
d. sounding muffled

1. what evidence from the text supports your answer from question 1?

a. just the noise steadily increased
b. i arose and argued about trifles in a high key and with violent gesticulations
c. it was a low, dull, quick sound - much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton
d. no doubt i now grew very pale

Explanation:

1. In the passage, the narrator is getting more and more worked - up as the sound increases. Words like "talked more quickly" and the description of arguing "in a high key and with violent gesticulations" suggest strong emotion. "Vehemently" means with great passion or intensity, which matches the context.
2. The evidence "I rose and argued about trifles in a high key and with violent gesticulations" shows the narrator's passionate and intense behavior, supporting the meaning of "vehemently" as with great passion.

Answer:

1. B. with great passion
2. B. I rose and argued about trifles in a high key and with violent gesticulations