Question

select the correct answer.
read this sentence from \the cask of amontillado\ by edgar allan poe:
in painting and gemmary, fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere.
what does the word quack likely mean?
a. a person who talks loudly and ignorantly
b. an unskilled person who claims special knowledge in a specific field
c. a person who gossips about friends and acquaintances
d. a person who is boastful about very minor accomplishments

Explanation:

The word "quack" is often used to describe someone who pretends to have knowledge or skills they don't actually possess. In the context of the sentence, Fortunato is said to be a quack in painting and gemmary (unlike in old wines where he was sincere). This implies he claims knowledge in those fields but may not be truly skilled. Option B aligns with this meaning as it refers to an unskilled person claiming special knowledge.

Answer:

B. an unskilled person who claims special knowledge in a specific field