Your teacher asks you to find the themes that two stories have in common. What should be your first two steps? Read both stories at the same time--first a paragraph in one story and then a paragraph in the other story.
Read the first story and make a list of its themes. Then read the second story, looking for themes on your list.
Skim through the first story, looking for words with multiple meanings. Then look for the same words in the second story.
Ask a classmate to read one story while you read the other. Then compare notes.

Select all the correct answers. in which two sentences does the author use an ironic tone toward the subject? a.she had no dowry, no expectations, no way of being known, understood, loved, married by any rich and distinguished man; so she let herself be married to a little clerk of the ministry of public instruction. b.natural ingenuity, instinct for what is elegant, a supple mind are their sole hierarchy, and often make of women of the people the equals of the very greatest ladies. c.the girl was one of those pretty and charming young creatures who sometimes are born, as if by a slip of fate, into a family of clerks. d.she dressed plainly because she could not dress well, but she was unhappy as if she had really fallen from a higher station.

Which excerpt from "the cask of amontillado" best infers what will be fortunato's downfall? the gait of my friend was unsteady, and the bells upon his cap jingled as he strode he had a weak point --this fortunato --although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. he prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. "nitre," i replied. "how long have you had that cough? " "my friend, no; i will not impose upon your good nature. i perceive you have an engagement. luchresi--" which of the excerpts below is an example of foreshadowing? how remarkably well you are looking to-day. but i have received a pipe of what passes for amontillado… "i have my doubts," i replied; "and i was silly enough to pay the full amontillado price without consulting you in the matter. there were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time. i had told them that i should not return until the morning, and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the house. i broke and reached him a flagon of de grave. he emptied it at a breath. his eyes flashed with a fierce light. he laughed and threw the bottle upwards with a gesticulation i did not understand. which excerpt from "the cask of amontillado" best summarizes the overall theme of the story? "for the love of god, montresor! " "yes," i said, "for the love of god! " he had a weak point --this fortunato --although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. he prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. a wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. it is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong. he turned towards me, and looked into my eves with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of intoxication. which excerpt from "the cask of amontillado" presents the reader with the initial conflict of the story? "i have my doubts," i replied; "and i was silly enough to pay the full amontillado price without consulting you in the matter. you were not to be found, and i was fearful of losing a bargain." the thousand injuries of fortunato i had borne as i best could, but when he ventured upon insult i vowed revenge. he had a weak point --this fortunato --although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. he prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. "the nitre! " i said; "see, it increases. it hangs like moss upon the vaults. we are below the river's bed. the drops of moisture trickle among the bones. come, we will go back ere it is too late. your cough --"

Which group or words is not a phrase? a.) leaving behind the dog b.) because she smiled at me c.) smashing into a fence d.) before the first test e.) pushing the sofa