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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Ethan resists following his wife upstairs because __________________________________________.
(a) He does not want Mattie to watch them go up to bed together.
(b) He does not want to give in to Zeena's demands.
(c) He does not want Mattie to be left downstairs alone.
(d) He does not want Mattie to see him show kindness to Zeena.

2. When Ethan and Mattie arrive at home, they cannot find _______________________.
(a) The key to the barn.
(b) The sled.
(c) The key to the house.
(d) The keys to the car.

3. While Ethan warms himself by the stove, Mattie _______________________.
(a) Sews near the lamp.
(b) Sews in the kitchen.
(c) Glues the dish back together.
(d) Polishes the pickle dish.

4. Ethan enjoys following Zeena's orders at first because ___________________________________________.
(a) They remind him of when his mother was alive and well.
(b) They free him of responsibility to his home and family.
(c) They free him to leave the house and go about his business.
(d) He cannot run the farm without her help.

5. When Zeena opens the door, Ethan is surprised by _______________________.
(a) Her gaunt appearance.
(b) Her refusal to let them enter.
(c) Her excitement over their return.
(d) Her cold nature.

6. Why can't Ethan replace Zeena's pickle dish?
(a) It came from Paris.
(b) It was the last of its kind.
(c) It was a family heirloom.
(d) It came from Philadelphia.

7. Most of the story takes place during which season?
(a) Spring.
(b) Summer.
(c) Winter.
(d) Fall.

8. Ethan's mother suggested she was listening to ___________________________.
(a) The television.
(b) The radio.
(c) Voices in her head.
(d) Voices from the cemetery.

9. Where is Ethan Frome going at the start of Chapter 1?
(a) Ethan is walking to the church to escort Mattie and Michael Eady back to town.
(b) Ethan is walking back to the farm to find his wife's cousin.
(c) Ethan is going a neighboring town to seek a doctor for his wife.
(d) Ethan is walking to the church in town to pick up his wife's cousin.

10. What brought Ethan back to the farm, ending his studies at Worcester?
(a) His father's bankruptcy.
(b) His mother's suggestion that he get married.
(c) His father's death.
(d) His mother's death.

11. 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 reminds him of his wedding day.
(c) The house has too many implications of order and conformity.
(d) The house seems to store up guilt and confessions.

12. Ethan asks Mattie _________________________________.
(a) If she would like to go coasting some night.
(b) If she would like to leave Starkfield with him.
(c) If she loves him.
(d) If she wants to continue working for him.

13. Ethan returns home early because ___________________________________________.
(a) He is afraid Jotham Powell will suspect his love for Mattie.
(b) He is afraid there will be trouble between Mattie and Zeena.
(c) He cannot get the horses to town safely.
(d) He is afraid to face Mr. Hale and ask for money.

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

15. Ethan and Mattie do not go sledding that evening because ___________________________.
(a) Ethan forgot their plans to go sledding.
(b) It is too dark outside.
(c) It is too cold outside.
(d) Mattie forgot their plans to go sledding.

Short Answer Questions

1. Ethan asks Mattie to sit in Zeena's chair because _____________________________.

2. Ethan tries to avoid accompanying his wife to bed by claiming ________________________________.

3. Wharton compares Mattie's hair to "a drift of mist on the moon," which suggests ___________________________.

4. As Ethan walks through the trees he passes _______________________________.

5. Though Ethan's studies were brief, the author states that he became aware of

(see the answer keys)

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