Although Edgar Allan Poe is recognized as the originator of the mystery story genre and as a master of the short story, literary critics and the general public have debated the extent of both his genius and his madness since his death in 1849. Poe rose from destitute beginnings as an orphan to a childhood of relative comfort when a wealthy businessman took him in. As a young man, however, he descended through poverty and mental illness to an early death at the age of forty. In his short career, he produced dozens of poems, stories, and critical essays that reflect his brilliant creative intellect.

At twenty, Poe moved to Baltimore to live with his impoverished aunt and her daughter, where he eventually married his fourteen-year-old cousin, Virginia. Poe was obviously devoted to his young wife, and idealized images of her appear in many of his female characters. It is difficult to suppose, however, that they had a close relationship, since she was many years younger than he was and chronically ill with tuberculosis. Although Poe wrote for various newspapers and magazines during this time, making great strides in literary criticism and developing his short-story style, he achieved no monetary success.

His sensitive personality and a hereditary tendency to neurosis contributed to a tragic mental decline; however, this only seems to have reinforced the brilliant imagery and fascinating morbidity that he achieved in his tales. Many critics speculate that Poe also suffered from alcoholism and opium addiction. The fantastical quality of his work earned him a devoted posthumous following in France, but he was generally disparaged by his American contemporaries.

When Poe wrote for magazines, he —–.

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The more powerful weapons are, the more terrible the _______ is.

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Members who renew their newspaper subscription at least one month prior to its  ____________  will receive a 5 percent discount.

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Noisy parties are really not my _______.

Choose the best answer among A, B, C or D that best completes each sentence: Do you enjoy doing the ……. chores?

Shane Trading Co. has hired a team of financial consultants to ensure that a fair ................... of funding takes place across all teams.

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Earlier this morning, Mr. Yang ____________   that everyone in his department would receive a bonus.

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Last month's issue of Wise Finance ------- an exclusive interview with Chuck Granville, founder of financial firm Granville Investments.

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The marketing team at Bescura Cars has created a series of  _______  humorous commercials, designed to appeal to younger consumers.

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Suburban residents are _____________   in favor of expanding Highway 589 to relieve traffic congestion.

It's difficult these days for a young person to find a well-paid ____ job.

The bank won't lend you the money without some _________ that you will pay it back.

He didn't permit them----------- through the military zone. He forced them …........ another way. 

Become a member of ThriftyAsia.com and be entitled to discounts .................. in Asia!

Li has _________; he loves cakes, chocolate, ice-cream - anything which is sweet.

It's coming down to the ________ to get these done on time.

Public and private investments are moving ahead rapidly as the country has shown a great ................. to stability and low inflation.

I've been working here for over ten years now and I'm on first-name terms with everyone, even the CEO. 

Cisco Systems has been ................... a contract by Rothem Industries for a project to improve productivity of their corporate electronic reimbursement.

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 I remember ______ the door before going out.

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Peter prefers…………. to music to ……………. TV.