The life of a poet is usually thought to be a contemplative one: plenty of reading, writing, andquiet philosophizing in studies or libraries. If ever there was an   (76)   to this rule, it wasEdgar Allen Poe (1809 -1849).
          Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Poe was orphaned at the age of only three. Fortunately, awealthy merchant, John Allan,   (77)   the boy. The new family lived for five years in England,where Poe went to elementary school. Later the family returned to Allan’s home in Richmond,Virginia. Poe then entered the University of Virginia but was there for only a year. He fell into thehabit of gambling and left the Allan home for his hometown of Boston.
          By the age of eighteen, Poe was already writing poetry. About the same time, he entered theWest Point Military Academy but was   (78)   shortly thereafter for neglecting his duty. Hethen briefly made New York City his home, where he penned many poems and worked as editor atvarious magazines. Now in his 20s, Poe, concentrated on his writing and won several awards. Hemoved into his aunt’s home in Baltimore, Maryland and married her daughter, his 13-year-oldcousin Virginia. He frequently changed his address, living in several East Coast cities, alwaysworking on his writing and editing magazine stories.
          With the death of his wife Virginia in 1847, Poe became suicidal. He turned to alcohol for reliefbut quickly became an   (79)   . He was found dead on a street in Baltimore in 1849 undermysterious circumstances. Thus came to an end the short but intriguing life of one of America’sfinest poets and short-story writers.
          Good writings outlive their authors, and Poe was no exception. His poetry, though oftendepressing and dwelling on dark themes, is considered among the finest ever written. He is also   (80)   with being a pioneer in the development of the modern detective story. His deepunderstanding of tormented hearts and minds leaps from the lines of his poetry and the pages of hisshort stories. Despite his short, tragic life, Edgar Allen Poe will thrill and chill many generations tocome.
【題組】76.
(A) eccentrics
(B) examination
(C) example
(D) exception