Question

guided practice
read this passage from \the fall of the house of usher.\
for several days ensuing, the name of lady madeline was unmentioned by either usher or myself; and during this period i was busied in earnest endeavors to alleviate the melancholy of my friend. we painted and read together, or i listened, as if in a dream, to the wild improvisations of his speaking guitar. and thus, as a closer and still closer intimacy admitted me more unreservedly into the recesses of his spirit, the more bitterly did i perceive the futility of all attempt at cheering a mind from which darkness, as if an inherent positive quality, poured forth upon all objects of the moral and physical universe in one unceasing radiation of gloom.
shadows of the imagination i
what effect did the narrator’s efforts have on his friend, usher?
a. the narrator’s efforts had no effect on usher.
b. the narrator succeeded in making usher feel happier.
c. the narrator inspired usher to great feats of creativity.
d. the narrator’s presence made usher ill.

Explanation:

The passage states the narrator tried to alleviate Usher's melancholy, but instead found his attempts at cheering Usher were futile, as Usher's spirit only poured forth more gloom. This confirms the efforts had no positive effect.

Answer:

A. The narrator's efforts had no effect on Usher.