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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Ethan is unpleasantly surprised when his wife notices __________________________________.
(a) That he is always late for work since Mattie arrived.
(b) That he is envious of Michael Eady.
(c) That he has taken to sleeping in his office.
(d) That he has taken to shaving every day since Mattie arrived.

2. Ethan is dismayed to find ________________________.
(a) Mattie has disappeared into the crowd.
(b) Mattie standing alone in a corner.
(c) Mattie is forced to dance with an undesirable partner.
(d) Mattie dancing happily with the grocer's son.

3. Mattie confesses her fear that ____________________________.
(a) She will have to marry Denis Eady.
(b) Zeena is displeased with her.
(c) Ethan has fallen in love with her.
(d) Zeena will know about their evening together.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Ethan does his clearest thinking while _______________________________.

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

3. Zeena finally stopped criticizing Mattie when __________________________________.

4. Because Ethan is too afraid to touch Mattie, he settles for _______________________________.

5. Zeena does not want to move from Starkfield because ________________________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Ethan's attitude toward Denis Eady? Why?

2. What is the atmosphere between Ethan and Mattie like after dinner?

3. Why did Ethan find it easier to put his arm around Mattie when they were outside together than when they are in his home?

4. Why does Ethan mention to Mattie that he saw Ned and Ruth kissing earlier?

5. What images might foreshadow trouble or death in the chapter?

6. Why are Ethan and Mattie continually reminded of Zeena?

7. Why is Ethan so concerned about Zeena's behavior the previous evening?

8. What does Ethan enjoy sharing with Mattie that he cannot share with Zeena?

9. If winter has kept him "frozen" in the same old patterns, what might the coming spring promise for Ethan Frome?

10. Describe the overall mood of Chapter 1.

(see the answer keys)

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