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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Ethan recognizes Mattie by her _________________________.
(a) Cherry-colored hair.
(b) Cherry-colored scarf.
(c) Voice.
(d) Wave from across the room.

2. While they walk home, Ethan expresses his concern that Mattie will __________________________.
(a) Get a bad reputation for dancing with so many men.
(b) Leave them soon to find another job.
(c) Leave them soon to get married.
(d) Get a cold from walking home so often.

3. Zeena's family is offended by Mattie's father because _______________________________________.
(a) He moved to Connecticut and became financially successful.
(b) He moved to Connecticut and got an education.
(c) He moved west during the Gold Rush.
(d) He moved away from the hills and never spoke to them again.

4. Ethan claims that Mattie did not see him outside the church because _____________________________________.
(a) She was too busy talking to her friends.
(b) She went back inside to dance with Denis Eady.
(c) She was not looking for him.
(d) She did not expect him to show up.

5. Zeena asks Ethan if Jotham Powell can _________________________.
(a) Drive her to the train station.
(b) Accompany her to the doctor's office.
(c) Drive her to Michael Eady's store.
(d) Bring the lumber to Mr. Hale.

6. What is happening at the church at midnight?
(a) Christmas Eve is being celebrated.
(b) The church services are taking place.
(c) The church social is taking place.
(d) A town meeting is taking place.

7. What word best describes the mood of the scene between Ethan and Mattie?
(a) Somber.
(b) Fearful.
(c) Expectant.
(d) Guilty.

8. Ethan tries to avoid accompanying his wife to bed by claiming ________________________________.
(a) He has to rebuild the fire.
(b) He has to go over the mill accounts.
(c) He has to tend to the horses.
(d) He has work to do in his study.

9. Ethan feels too constrained to try to touch Mattie inside the house because ____________________________________________.
(a) The house has too many happy memories of Zeena.
(b) The house seems to store up guilt and confessions.
(c) The house reminds him of his wedding day.
(d) The house has too many implications of order and conformity.

10. Wharton compares Mattie's hair to "a drift of mist on the moon," which suggests ___________________________.
(a) Logic and reality.
(b) Fear and doom.
(c) Fantasy and impermanence.
(d) Ugliness and coarseness.

11. Because Ethan is too afraid to touch Mattie, he settles for _______________________________.
(a) Pressing his cheek against hers.
(b) Holding her hands while they talk.
(c) Kissing the cat on the head.
(d) Kissing the fabric she is sewing.

12. Zeena's cat ____________________________.
(a) Watches Ethan and hisses at him.
(b) Watches them through narrowed eyes.
(c) Falls asleep on top of Mattie's sewing.
(d) Claws at Mattie when she sits in Zeena's chair.

13. How has Mattie changed her appearance for Ethan?
(a) She has borrowed on of Zeena's dresses.
(b) She has tied a red ribbon in her hair.
(c) She has worn her best dress.
(d) She has worn a bonnet on her head.

14. Ethan now sees the cemetery as ____________________________.
(a) The threat of stagnancy.
(b) The threat of death.
(c) The promise of excitement and the unknown.
(d) The promise of continuance and stability.

15. Ethan's love of nature does not extend to ___________________.
(a) Agriculture.
(b) Astronomy.
(c) Lumber.
(d) Animals.

Short Answer Questions

1. Zeena believes Mattie will leave soon because ______________________________.

2. While Ethan warms himself by the stove, Mattie _______________________.

3. Ethan is initially drawn to Zeena because __________________________________.

4. Ethan does his clearest thinking while _______________________________.

5. With Mattie, Ethan feels ____________________.

(see the answer keys)

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