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.
what effect did the narrator’s efforts have on his friend, usher?
a. the narrator inspired usher to great feats of creativity.
b. the narrator’s presence made usher ill.
c. the narrator succeeded in making usher feel happier.
d. the narrator’s efforts had no effect on usher.

Explanation:

The passage states the narrator tried to ease Usher's melancholy, but instead found his attempts to cheer Usher were futile, as Usher's spirit remained steeped in gloom. This confirms the efforts had no positive effect.

Answer:

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