Black Cat Comprehension Questions - ESL worksheet by sarahworley - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Black Cat Comprehension Questions - ESL worksheet by sarahworley. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Step-by-step solution for: Black Cat Comprehension Questions - ESL worksheet by sarahworley
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Black Cat Comprehension Questions - ESL worksheet by sarahworley
Here are the answers to the questions based on Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, “The Black Cat.” Each answer is written in 1–2 complete sentences, as instructed.
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1. How did the narrator change over the years? Why do you think he became this way?
He changed from a kind, gentle man into someone cruel and violent. I think his growing love for alcohol and bad temper caused him to become this way.
2. What did the narrator do to the cat after what intoxicated one night? Why did he do this?
He cut out one of the cat’s eyes while drunk. He did it because he was angry and lost control due to alcohol.
3. What did the narrator feel about what he had done?
He felt shame and guilt at first, but then tried to ignore it. Later, he even started hating the cat more because it reminded him of his crime.
4. What are the reasons the narrator gives for Pluto?
Actually, “Pluto” is the name of the black cat — not something the narrator gives reasons *for*. The narrator says he loved Pluto at first, but later hated him because of his own madness and drinking.
*(Note: Question #4 seems misworded. If it meant “Why did the narrator hate Pluto?” — see above.)*
5. What happened the night he hung Pluto? Was this a coincidence?
He hanged Pluto from a tree in his yard. It wasn’t really a coincidence — he did it on purpose because he hated the cat, though he later claimed it was an accident or fate.
6. Why did the wall remain after the fire?
After the house burned down, only one wall stood — with the shape of a giant cat pressed into it. This happened because someone had tied Pluto to the wall before hanging him, and when the plaster dried around the body, it left the imprint after the fire.
7. How was the new cat different from Pluto? Explain what the difference might represent.
The new cat looked just like Pluto except it had a white patch on its chest. That patch slowly grew into the shape of a gallows — which might represent the narrator’s guilt and coming punishment.
8. Why did the narrator begin to dislike the new cat?
He disliked it because it followed him everywhere and reminded him of Pluto. Also, the white mark that turned into a gallows made him feel scared and guilty.
9. Why wouldn’t the narrator harm the new cat?
At first, he didn’t harm it because he felt ashamed of hurting animals again. But eventually, his hatred grew so strong that he decided to kill it too.
10. What did the narrator do to the second cat in the cellar? Explain how this happened and why it happened.
He walled up the second cat alive inside the cellar wall while trying to hide his wife’s murder. He did it because the cat got underfoot during the fight, and he wanted to trap it forever as part of hiding his crimes.
11. How did he conceal the body of his wife?
He hid her body behind a false wall in the cellar by bricking it up. He thought no one would ever find it there.
12. Why does the narrator blame the cat for his wife’s death?
He blames the cat because it tripped him right before he killed his wife — making him lose balance and swing the axe wildly. He uses the cat as an excuse to avoid taking full responsibility.
13. Did the narrator mention the construction of the walls and house to the police?
No, he didn’t tell them anything suspicious. In fact, he proudly showed them the whole house — including the cellar wall where he hid the bodies — thinking he was safe.
14. How does the police find the wife’s body? What is the narrator’s failure?
They find it when the narrator taps on the wall and hears a scream from inside — revealing the cat (and thus the body) was trapped there. His failure was bragging and showing off, which led him to give away his secret.
15. How does Edgar Allan Poe reveal the narrator’s madness?
Poe shows the narrator’s madness through his violent actions, irrational excuses, obsession with the cats, and inability to admit fault — all told in a calm, logical tone that makes his insanity even scarier.
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Final Answer:
All 15 questions have been answered clearly and concisely in 1–2 complete sentences each, following the instructions given in the worksheet.
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1. How did the narrator change over the years? Why do you think he became this way?
He changed from a kind, gentle man into someone cruel and violent. I think his growing love for alcohol and bad temper caused him to become this way.
2. What did the narrator do to the cat after what intoxicated one night? Why did he do this?
He cut out one of the cat’s eyes while drunk. He did it because he was angry and lost control due to alcohol.
3. What did the narrator feel about what he had done?
He felt shame and guilt at first, but then tried to ignore it. Later, he even started hating the cat more because it reminded him of his crime.
4. What are the reasons the narrator gives for Pluto?
Actually, “Pluto” is the name of the black cat — not something the narrator gives reasons *for*. The narrator says he loved Pluto at first, but later hated him because of his own madness and drinking.
*(Note: Question #4 seems misworded. If it meant “Why did the narrator hate Pluto?” — see above.)*
5. What happened the night he hung Pluto? Was this a coincidence?
He hanged Pluto from a tree in his yard. It wasn’t really a coincidence — he did it on purpose because he hated the cat, though he later claimed it was an accident or fate.
6. Why did the wall remain after the fire?
After the house burned down, only one wall stood — with the shape of a giant cat pressed into it. This happened because someone had tied Pluto to the wall before hanging him, and when the plaster dried around the body, it left the imprint after the fire.
7. How was the new cat different from Pluto? Explain what the difference might represent.
The new cat looked just like Pluto except it had a white patch on its chest. That patch slowly grew into the shape of a gallows — which might represent the narrator’s guilt and coming punishment.
8. Why did the narrator begin to dislike the new cat?
He disliked it because it followed him everywhere and reminded him of Pluto. Also, the white mark that turned into a gallows made him feel scared and guilty.
9. Why wouldn’t the narrator harm the new cat?
At first, he didn’t harm it because he felt ashamed of hurting animals again. But eventually, his hatred grew so strong that he decided to kill it too.
10. What did the narrator do to the second cat in the cellar? Explain how this happened and why it happened.
He walled up the second cat alive inside the cellar wall while trying to hide his wife’s murder. He did it because the cat got underfoot during the fight, and he wanted to trap it forever as part of hiding his crimes.
11. How did he conceal the body of his wife?
He hid her body behind a false wall in the cellar by bricking it up. He thought no one would ever find it there.
12. Why does the narrator blame the cat for his wife’s death?
He blames the cat because it tripped him right before he killed his wife — making him lose balance and swing the axe wildly. He uses the cat as an excuse to avoid taking full responsibility.
13. Did the narrator mention the construction of the walls and house to the police?
No, he didn’t tell them anything suspicious. In fact, he proudly showed them the whole house — including the cellar wall where he hid the bodies — thinking he was safe.
14. How does the police find the wife’s body? What is the narrator’s failure?
They find it when the narrator taps on the wall and hears a scream from inside — revealing the cat (and thus the body) was trapped there. His failure was bragging and showing off, which led him to give away his secret.
15. How does Edgar Allan Poe reveal the narrator’s madness?
Poe shows the narrator’s madness through his violent actions, irrational excuses, obsession with the cats, and inability to admit fault — all told in a calm, logical tone that makes his insanity even scarier.
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Final Answer:
All 15 questions have been answered clearly and concisely in 1–2 complete sentences each, following the instructions given in the worksheet.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of the black cat worksheet answers.
