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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. Why has no stranger set foot in the Fromes' house in twenty years?
(a) Ethan Frome has grown angry and unfriendly.
(b) Ethan Frome is too ashamed of his past actions to entertain friends.
(c) Ethan Frome is too ashamed of Zeena and Mattie.
(d) Ethan Frome is too proud to let anyone see how he lives.

2. Ethan invites Jotham to dinner because _______________________________________.
(a) He wants a neutral presence there since Zeena has returned.
(b) He wants an objective observer to hear Zeena's health complaints.
(c) He needs to talk to Jotham about his work.
(d) He knows Zeena will not ask about money with Jotham there.

3. Ethan knows he cannot leave Starkfield with Mattie because ________________________________________.
(a) Underneath it all, he still loves Zeena.
(b) He has no money, and no way of borrowing any in town.
(c) Mattie would not want to leave town in disgrace.
(d) Zeena's family would prevent him from leaving.

4. How does Zeena reply to Mattie's remarks?
(a) Zeena leaves the room angrily.
(b) Zeena tells Mattie to hush.
(c) Zeena tells Ethan to quiet Mattie.
(d) Zeena does not speak at all.

5. When Zeena suggests that Mattie has "taken from her" the one she cared about most of all, she is referring to _____________________________.
(a) A tea towel.
(b) Her red pickle dish.
(c) The cat.
(d) Mattie's father.

Short Answer Questions

1. Later, Zeena insisted _____________________________________.

2. When Ethan sees Zeena he is moved by what emotion?

3. Ethan believes the elm ________________________________.

4. Why does Ethan insist on sitting in the front of the sled?

5. Whose presence at breakfast compels Ethan to hide his happiness at being alone with Mattie?

Short Essay Questions

1. What might the weather foreshadow about Ethan's plans for the day?

2. In what way would Ethan have "lived" if Mattie had died, according to Mrs. Hale?

3. Why is Ethan willing to overlook his pride to renew his request for money from Andrew Hale?

4. Why doesn't Ethan feel he can refuse Zeena's demand to send Mattie away?

5. What does Ethan claim about the state of his marriage in the letter to Zeena, and what does this show about Ethan's character?

6. What does Zeena spend her time doing since the accident?

7. What has given Zeena a new air of authority?

8. Why does Ruth Hale believe Ethan Frome suffers so badly?

9. How do Zeena and Mattie get along after the accident?

10. Aside from Mattie, where does Ethan continue to find inspiration and beauty?

(see the answer keys)

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