Question

Shaking off what must have been a dream, I scanned more narrowly the real aspect of the building. Its principal feature seemed to be that of an excessive antiquity. The discoloration of ages had been great. Minute fungi overspread the whole exterior, hanging in a fine tangled web-work from the eaves. Yet all this was apart from any extraordinary dilapidation. No portion of the masonry had fallen; and there appeared to be a wild inconsistency between its still perfect adaptation of parts, and the crumbling condition of the individual stones. In this there was much that reminded me of the specious totality of old wood-work which has rotted for long years in some neglected vault, with no disturbance from the breath of the external air. Beyond this indication of extensive decay, however, the fabric gave little token of instability. Perhaps the eye of a scrutinizing observer might have discovered a barely perceptible fissure, which, extending from the roof of the building in front, made its way down the wall in a zigzag direction, until it became lost in the sullen waters of the tarn. Which words from The Fall of the House of Usher best characterize the antiquity?

a.discoloration of ages
b.overspread the whole
c.hanging in a fire
d.wild inconsistency

Answer 1

The question is asking you which phrase best explains that the building is old. Your answer should be "Discoloration of ages," which implies that the building has been discolored due to the ages of time that have passed.

Answer 2

Answer: a. discoloration of ages.

The text states that the principal characteristic of the building was "that of an excessive antiquity." It also tells the reader that "the discoloration of ages had been great." Afterwards, the text tells us that besides this, there was little dilapidation and that the structure itself was still standing. Therefore, the best way to exemplify the antiquity was the discoloration of the building.