The word that best describes the mood of “The Cask of Amontillado” is ____.

a. hysterical b. dramatic c. suspenseful d. depressing

c. suspenseful

The word that best describes the mood of "The Cask of Amontillado" is c. suspenseful.

To determine the word that best describes the mood of "The Cask of Amontillado," we can analyze the story's content and atmosphere. To start, let's consider what the story is about. "The Cask of Amontillado" is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe, known for his dark and suspenseful tales.

In this story, the main character, Montresor, seeks revenge against his acquaintance, Fortunato. Montresor lures Fortunato into his family crypt under the pretense of tasting a rare wine called Amontillado. However, Montresor's true intention is to bury Fortunato alive, allowing his revenge to be enacted.

With this information in mind, we can analyze the overall mood of the story. The mood can be described as suspenseful. Poe effectively creates a sense of anticipation and tension by foreshadowing the impending tragedy. Throughout the story, readers feel a growing unease as Montresor's plan unfolds, unaware of what will happen to Fortunato. The element of suspense is heightened through the use of dark and eerie imagery present in the catacombs and crypt, further accentuated by the characters' dialogue and actions.

Therefore, the word that best describes the mood of "The Cask of Amontillado" is c. suspenseful.