Honors English 9
Summer Reading Assignment
In preparation for the beginning of the school year, you are being asked to complete a summer reading
assignment, as well as some related reading activities. This project is required of all Honors freshmen.
This year you have two reading assignments that need to be completed by the dates indicated and
which require the purchasing of books: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton and Good Poems for Hard Times
compiled by Garrison Keillor. These are available at local bookstores (or they can be purchased online.)
Honors 9 Summer Reading also includes some PSAT/vocabulary practice. The exercises and vocabulary
list are included at the end of the reading exercises.
Please purchase a 1 Subject Notebook and complete the journals for Ethan Frome in this notebook. This
will become your Honors 9 Writing Journal and you will be expected to bring it to class daily.
For Ethan Frome, you should complete the three pre-reading journals before beginning the novel.
Then, as you read the novel, collect the information that is required and record it, according to the
directions, in your journal. Be prepared for an objective test over Ethan Frome.
Work for Ethan Frome is due on Monday, Aug. 22nd.
Assignments related to the poetry readings are due on Tuesday, Sept. 6th.
Summer Reading Novel
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Pre-Reading Journals (for #1 and #2 below, please write at least a one page response FOR EACH; for #3,
write as much as you see fit to answer the question.)
1. Think of one or two times in your life when your parents or family wanted you to do something
or to go somewhere, and it conflicted with what YOU wanted to do or somewhere YOU wanted
to go. Explain the situation(s). How did the conflict grow? How was it resolved? And how could
it have been handled differently? Did you learn anything from the situation, now that you reflect
back upon it?
2. Think of a time when you wanted to tell somebody something that was bothering you, or a time
when you wanted to tell someone the truth, but was afraid to. Explain the situation, how you
handled it, and what you think you did poorly or properly. In retrospect, what would you do
differently if you had a second chance? What would you do the same?
3. Look up the word illusion and record two definitions. Now define illusion in your own words.
Finally, when do you think you have lived in an illusion rather than reality, or, give an example of
when someone you care about has chosen to live more in an illusion than reality. Why do you
think you, or someone you care about, or people in general, choose to live in illusions?
While You Read
Record examples, with page numbers, of times in the novel when
Ethan does what he believes is right.
Ethan struggles with doing what he believes is right or moral, versus doing what he believes will
make him happy.
Communication between two characters is based more on what one character believes is the
right thing to say or based on what one character believes the other character wants to hear,
rather than what is absolutely true or honest.
A character or characters perpetuate living in an illusion instead of reality.
NOTE: The more information you record, the better! You may organize your information in any form you
wish… a chart, paragraphs, bulleted list, etc. This information will help you with a future first quarter
writing assignment.
Summer Reading – Poetry
Note: Your reflections on the poetry will be collected; therefore, please type these responses
rather than put them in your journal.
Do not be deceived! Good Poems for Hard Times is not a collection of depressing poems; quite the
opposite, it is a collections of poems meant to inspire and renew the spirit. You are required to read the
poems listed below, and to complete the related activities, but perhaps you will find yourself reading
even more than is required…. as there is a vast supply of meaningful and inspirational poems in this
small yellow book. The book will be used throughout the school year, so please purchase it and keep it!
A few of the poems require no written work.
REQUIRED READING:
1. Pre-reading journal – Before you read, make a list (it does not have to be in paragraph form) of
all the things you hate or fear about poetry. If you love poetry, make a list of all that you love
about it! Don’t worry, you won’t hurt my feelings either way!
2. The Introduction, pages xv – xxiii
 Reflect upon your pre-reading list/journal. Has this introduction changed your opinion
at all? Jot down your reflections on the bottom of the pre-reading journal page.
3. “Happiness” by Raymond Carver, page 4
 Type a ½ page response journal to the poem. What does the poem say or mean to you?
What, in fact, is the author trying to say about happiness, and that which inspires it?
4. “Starting the Subaru at Five Below” by Stuart Kestenbaum, page 15
5. “Unharvested” by Robert Frost, page 26
 In a ¼ to ½ page typed response journal, what do you think is Frost’s message, paying
particular attention to the poem’s last four lines?
6. “you can take it with you” by Josephine Jacobsen, page 38
7. “Things” by Lisel Mueller, page 104
 Define personification
(#7 continued on next page)

In a ½ - ¾ page typed (double spaced) journal entry, explain how this poem embodies
personification, and reflect upon why we as humans have a need to, in fact, personify
“Things.”
8. “the lesson of the moth” by Don Marquis, page 111
 In a ½ - ¾ page response journal, discuss how this poem seems almost non-poetry like
in form and subject. Do you like Marquis’ unconventional style? Do you agree or
disagree with the thought that
it is better to be happy
for a moment
and be burned up with beauty
Than to live a long time
and be bored all the while
9. “After School on Ordinary Days” by Maria Mazziotti Gillan, page 135
 Write an original poem, 10 lines or longer, which reflects upon an after school memory
that you have and perhaps cherish, much like Maria Mazziotti Gillan cherishes her
thoughts of Chocolate milk, cookies, and the radio. This can be hand written or typed.
10. “Driving to Town Late to Mail a Letter” by Robert Bly, page 253
 Type a ½ page (double spaced) journal entry that reflects upon a moment in time where
you find yourself most at peace, content in your own privacy/aloneness.
11. “Dawn Revisted” by Rita Dove, page 292
PSAT Writing Skills Practice – Honors English 9 - Summer Reading
NOTE – All juniors at Hoban take the PSAT. This standardized test is great preparation for the SATs, but it also is a
test that can qualify students for various scholarship opportunities. Freshmen in Honors Math or Honors English
will take this test for practice their 9th grade year. All sophomores, regardless of English or Math placement, take
the test for practice. In eleventh grade, the test results “count.” High scorers have the potential of becoming
National Merit Scholarship finalists.
The following exercises model two types of questions found on the PSAT. We will be practicing these throughout
the year. Please have this exercise completed by Friday, August 26th.
Directions: The following sentences test your knowledge of grammar, usage, diction (choice of words), and idiom.
Some sentences are correct. No sentence contains more than one error.
Several parts of the sentence will be underlined and lettered. You will find that the error, if there is one, is
underlined and lettered. Elements of the sentence that are not underlined will not be changed. In choosing
answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.
If there is an error, select one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct and place the
letter representing that answer in the blank provided. If there is no error, answer E.
1.
_______
2. _______
3. _______
In recently constructed concert halls, there is usually at least two sets of
A
B
C D
stairs at the rear of the balcony. No Error.
E
Whenever we travel abroad, a sense of excitement and anticipation of being
A
B
in a foreign land overtake you. No Error.
C
D
E
Many foreign electronic companies have learned to build machines at a lower
A
B
cost by using inexpensive produced components. No Error.
C
D
E
4. _______
The chairwoman felt that she could not give in with his demands, which she
A
B
C
thought were completely understandable. No Error.
D
E
5. _______
One can learn more about new computers by actually working with them than
A
B
C
one can by merely reading the instruction manual. No Error.
D
E
6. _______
The police officer noticed the wanted suspect only after he removed his
A
B
C
sunglasses and sat down a the counter. No Error.
D
E
7. _______
The triathlete had swam three miles before leg cramps caused her to
A
B
C
withdraw from the competition. No Error.
D
E
8. _______
The speaker whom the graduating class chose to deliver their
A
B
C
commencement address was an imminent authority on international
D
diplomacy. No Error.
E
9. ________
The jazz band was forced to return the gate receipts after they had arrived
A
B
C
at the arena one hour late. No Error.
D
E
10. ________
The Soviet Union had not hardly developed a spaceship suitable for lunar
A
B
travel when the first U.S. astronaut landed on the moon in 1969. No Error.
C
D
E
Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. In choosing
answers, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar,
choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation.
In each of the following sentences, part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined.
Beneath each sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. Choice A) repeats
the original; the other four are different. Choose the answer that best expresses the meaning of
the original sentence. If you think the original is best, than put A) in the blank provided; otherwise,
in the blank provided, place the letter that represents the most effective sentence (one that is
clear and precise and without awkwardness or ambiguity.)
11. ________
The group of artists, masters of the short brush stroke developed by the
Impressionists in the nineteenth century, did not believe in selling works of art; however, some
giving paintings away.
A) some giving paintings away
B) giving some paintings away
C) paintings were given away by some of them
D) some having given paintings away
E) some gave paintings away
12. ________
Credulous people believe in the existence of extraterrestrial beings, most
scientists and other informed students of nature do not.
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Credulous people believe
While credulous people believe
Credulous people are always believing
Since credulous people believe
Credulous people tend to believe
13. ________
Exposed to the extremely long and severe cold spell, frost soon killed the
buds of the citrus trees and they did not produce fruit that season.
A) frost soon killed the buds of the citrus trees and they did not
produce fruit that season.
B) soon the buds of the citrus trees were killed by frost, and
therefore not producing fruit that season.
C) the buds of the citrus tree were soon killed by frost, they did
not produce fruit that season.
D) fruit was not produced by the citrus trees that season because
their buds had been killed by frost.
E) The buds of the citrus trees were soon killed by frost, and the
trees did not produce fruit that season.
14. ________
In the closing decades of the eighteenth century, it was believed that young
women should not only be obedient and soft-spoken but also master such skills as needlepoint.
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
be obedient and soft-spoken but also master
being obedient and soft-spoken but also mastering
obey and speak softly but also mastering
be obedient and soft-spoken but also to master
obeying and speaking softly but also mastering
15. ________
Instilled in 1975, sandhill cranes must unwittingly cooperate in the
conservationists’ project to raise endangered whooping crane chicks.
A) sandhill cranes must unwittingly cooperate in the
conservationists’ project to raise
B) sandhill cranes’ unwitting cooperation is required in the
conservationists’ project to raise
C) the conservationists require that sandhill cranes unwittingly
cooperate in their project of raising
D) the conservationists require sandhill cranes to cooperate
unwittingly in their project to raise
E) the conservationists’ project requires the unwitting cooperation
of sandhill cranes in raising
(continued)
Beginning Vocabulary
Another important part of Honors Preparation is the study of vocabulary words. We will do this
throughout the year. Please define the following words and be prepared for a quiz over them the
first week of school. All definitions MUST be hand-written (preferably on this page).
1.
abase
2. abhor
3. abstain
4. agile
5. amiable
6. benign
7. boisterous
8. brazen
9. candor
10. cajole
11. capricious
12. coddle
13. conjecture
14. dearth
15. deface
16. deride
17. elicit
18. eminent
19. emulate
20. esoteric
21. extol
22. fastidious
23. flagrant
24. foster (v)
25. fraught
26. gregarious
27. hedonism
28. heinous
29. homage
30. ignominious
31. implacable
32. indigenous
33. inert
34. jocular
35. lament