Ethan Frome Chapters I-II

Ethan doesn't like Dennis Eady because Dennis likes Mattie. This suggests that Ethan may be jealous or possessive of Mattie's attention and affection, leading to his dislike of Dennis.

The change in time between the Foreword and Chapter I suggests that the author is using a flashback. A flashback is a literary device where the narrative jumps back in time to provide background information or context to the story. In this case, the change in time between the two sections indicates that the story is shifting to a previous event or memory before progressing forward. This technique allows the author to provide important details or insights that enhance the overall narrative structure.

The narrator is surprised to find that Ethan has an interest in biochemistry because it is unexpected and unrelated to the other options. The other options, such as farming, California, and meteorology, may be more commonly associated with Ethan's background or interests, making biochemistry an unexpected choice. This surprise indicates that Ethan's interest in biochemistry is unique and intriguing to the narrator.

The town's name, Starkfield, suggests that it is bare. The word "stark" typically means harsh, barren, or lacking in adornment. Therefore, when combined with "field," it implies a sense of emptiness or desolation. This suggests that the town lacks vibrancy, vegetation, or any kind of flourishing elements, reinforcing the idea that it is bare.

Choose the letter of the word that best replaces the underlined word in the sentence (1 point each).

The word "querulously" means to complain or whine in a whining or complaining manner. In the given sentence, the character is expressing annoyance or dissatisfaction with having pizza again. This fits the definition of "querulously" as it describes the tone and attitude of the character's complaint.

The word "innocuous" means harmless or not likely to cause harm. In the given sentence, the person's action of folding his hands and trying to look innocent after the vase crashed to the floor suggests that he is trying to appear harmless or not responsible for the accident. Therefore, "innocuous" is the correct answer as it best describes the person's behavior in this context.

The word "capitulate" means to surrender or give up. In the given sentence, it is mentioned that the loser of the election refused to give up, indicating that they did not capitulate. Therefore, "capitulate" is the correct answer.

The word "degenerate" means to decline or deteriorate from a previous state. In the context of the statement, it suggests that every generation believes that the next generation is declining or becoming worse. This belief is often rooted in the perception that the values, behavior, or achievements of the younger generation are inferior to those of the previous generation. It is a common phenomenon for older generations to view the younger ones as degenerating or declining in some way.