Vocabulary
Subject-Verb Agreement
The Fall of the House of Usher
A House Taken Over
How to Tell You're Reading a Gothic Novel
100

This term, used in the line "And look upon myself and curse my fate," refers to predetermined destiny or fortune.

What is "fate"?

100

In "Swimming in the ocean and playing on the beach (is/are) fun activities," this verb form agrees with the gerund phrase as a singular subject.

What is "are"?

100

This author wrote "The Fall of the House of Usher."

Who is Edgar Allan Poe?

100

He wrote "A House Taken Over," a story about siblings living in an occupied mansion.

Who is Julio Cortázar?

100

A Gothic novel typically takes place in these.

What is a spooky castle or mansion?

200

In "Sonnet 29," this word means "pleasures" or "things enjoyed"

What is "delights"?

200

In "Either the manager or the employees (is/are) attending the meeting," this verb form correctly agrees with the closer subject.

What is "are"?

200

This family member of Roderick Usher is buried alive in the story.

Who is Madeline Usher?

200

The siblings spend their time doing this leisurely activity before the house is taken over.

What is reading and knitting?

200

The weather is like this in many Gothic novels.

What are windy or stormy conditions?

300

In "Sonnet 29," this word means "tears" or "cries"

What is "beweep"?

300

"The bouquet of roses (smell/smells) wonderful," this verb form correctly agrees with the subject "bouquet."

What is "smells"?

300

This mental state of Roderick Usher deteriorates throughout the story.

What is madness or insanity?

300

The gradual encroachment in the house symbolizes this in "A House Taken Over."

What is fear of the unknown or change?

300

These are some types of characters you might encounter in a Gothic novel.

What are ghosts, monsters, vampires, witches, or even the devil?

400

The word "state" in the context of "Sonnet 29" refers to this aspect of the speaker's condition.

What is "condition" or "circumstances"?

400

"Here (come/comes) the results of your test," this verb form correctly agrees with the subject "results."

What is "come"?

400

This pervasive mood, often associated with gothic literature, is prominent in Poe's story.

What is gloom or dread?

400

At the end of "A House Taken Over," the siblings do this after the entire house is taken over.

What is leave the house?

400

Most early Gothic novels take place in this time period.

What are "the olden days?"

500

The word "trouble" in "Sonnet 29" refers to this, often indicating mental or emotional distress.

What is "sorrow"?

500

In "The captain, as well as his crew, (is/are) ready for the voyage," this verb form correctly agrees with the singular subject "captain."

What is "is"?

500

This literary device is used to describe the sentience of the Usher mansion.

What is personification?

500

"A House Taken Over" can be interpreted as an allegory for this historical period in Argentina.

What is Peronism or political oppression?

500

'Unhappy Lauriana! Whose criminal desertion of thine offspring entailed upon them such misery and degradation. In this early career of their lives, behold the guilt and unworthiness for which thou art amenable!'

Today, you could just say this. 

What is 'this is all your fault!