View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What word does Zeena use to describe the state of her health?

2. How has Zeena changed since the accident?

3. Ethan senses something went wrong with Zeena because _______________________________.

4. Why has no stranger set foot in the Fromes' house in twenty years?

5. How does Zeena find the broken pickle dish?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Mrs. Hale suggest the Fromes in the graveyard are different from the Fromes up at the farm?

2. Who finally takes action to determine the outcome of Ethan and Mattie's situation?

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

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

5. How is Ethan once again annoyed by Denis Eady in Chapter 6?

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

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

8. Why isn't Ethan prepared for Zeena's arrival when he gets home?

9. What is significant about Zeena's behavior that day?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Consider the characters of Denis Eady, Jotham Powell, and Andrew Hale. How has each of these male characters helped or harmed Ethan in his plans to find happiness with Mattie? Write an essay in which you describe each of these male characters' influence on Ethan Frome's actions in the text.

Essay Topic 2

Martin Luther said that "Thoughts pay no duty." Considering the difference between Ethan Frome's thoughts and his many actions of duty performed in the novel, write an essay in which you defend, refute or qualify Luther's quote using Ethan Frome as support for your argument.

Essay Topic 3

Hal Borland said, "No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." Consdering this quote, write an essay in which you argue whether or not Ethan's symbolic "winter" has lasted forever, or whether spring has come to him in any way. Use specific examples to support your text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 826 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample