Question 1: Identify two descriptions used in the passage that contribute to creating a tense atmosphere.

Answer: The 'thick silence' and 'shadows dancing along the cracked stone walls' contribute to the tense atmosphere.

Question 2: What effect does the description of the storm outside have on the reader’s sense of the scene?

Answer: It heightens the sense of isolation and intensifies the feeling of dread.

Question 3: Identify a literary technique used in the phrase 'shadows danced along the cracked stone walls' and explain its purpose.

Answer: Personification; it creates a haunting, eerie mood.

Question 4: How does the author use colour imagery to enhance the mood in the passage?

Answer: The use of words like 'drenched of colour' and 'oppressive gloom' emphasizes darkness, creating a sinister and foreboding atmosphere.

Question 5: Describe how the setting influences the mood of the story.

Answer: The dilapidated house, the storm, and the darkness combine to evoke feelings of fear, isolation, and suspense, immersing the reader in a threatening Gothic environment.

Question 6: What is the significance of the rattling window in building suspense?

Answer: It suggests a threatening external force and heightens the sense of imminent danger.

Question 7: Identify one example of foreshadowing in the passage.

Answer: The distant crackling of the fireplace hints at the darkness and danger within.

Question 8: Explain how the use of the phrase 'oppressive gloom' affects the reader’s perception of the scene.

Answer: It conveys a heavy, suffocating atmosphere that intensifies the feeling of dread.

Question 9: Discuss the importance of setting in Gothic horror stories based on this extract.

Answer: The setting creates an atmosphere of mystery and fear, essential for building suspense and immersing the reader in a Gothic horror context.

Question 10: Write a brief paragraph describing an eerie setting you might include in a Gothic horror story.

Answer: Students should include atmospheric details such as weather, sounds, and visual elements to create a spooky, tense environment.