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

2. Ethan and Mattie discuss the marriage of ________________________.
(a) Ned and Ruth.
(b) Mattie and Denis.
(c) Ethan and Zeena.
(d) Jothan and Mattie.

3. With Mattie, Ethan feels ____________________.
(a) Pressure to succeed.
(b) Bitter.
(c) Brave enough to stand up to his wife.
(d) Understood.

4. Mattie's only skills include _______________________________________.
(a) Making medicine, nursing others, and household chores.
(b) Making candy, playing piano minimally, and reciting poetry.
(c) Making dresses and singing.
(d) Book-keeping and clerical work.

5. The smoke and haze from Ethan's pipe might represent ___________________________.
(a) Societal oppression.
(b) Zeena's ghost.
(c) Confusion of reality.
(d) The threat of death.

Short Answer Questions

1. Ethan recognizes Mattie by her _________________________.

2. Zeena has packed her bag in order to _________________________________.

3. Mattie worries that Zeena ______________________________.

4. Ethan now sees the cemetery as ____________________________.

5. Ethan looks forward to the walks to meet Mattie because ______________________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why has Zeena stayed up waiting for Ethan and Mattie?

2. Describe Zeena's appearance when she opens the door for Ethan and Mattie.

3. Why is Mattie upset to learn that the Fromes expect her to leave them someday?

4. What concerns does Ethan Frome express about Mattie Silver throughout the chapter?

5. Why is Ethan concerned about Zeena's behavior toward himself and Mattie?

6. What was Ethan doing before he returned to Starkfield?

7. In what way does Ethan finally attempt a physical connection between himself and Mattie?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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