Reread paragraph 9 of the story. Then answer the multiple-choice questions that follow.
From “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
9 No doubt I now grew very pale;—but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased—and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound—much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath—and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly—more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations, but the noise steadily increased.
Based on context clues in the passage, what is most likely the meaning of the word vehemently?
Answer choices for the above question
A. at a high volume
B. with a lot of passion
C. in a flat monotone
D. sounding muffled
What evidence from the text supports your answer from Question 1?
Answer choices for the above question
A. “. . . but the noise steadily increased.”
B. “. . . I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations
C. “It was a low, dull, quick sound—much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton.”
D. “No doubt I now grew very pale;”