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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does she think of to balance her thoughts of the hurtful people in her life?
(a) Mr. Early and kind teachers.
(b) A storybook family.
(c) Arthur carrying her on his back.
(d) Her future children.

2. Where is Arthur headed when he dies?
(a) To the hospital.
(b) To the airport.
(c) To a Garden Club Meeting.
(d) Home.

3. How does Alice describe Mr. Early when he taught high school?
(a) Dancing on his toes, whooping over the sounds the poet makes.
(b) The unexpected man who no one recognizes once he speaks.
(c) Bursting out of his ill fitting suit with prose and poetry.
(d) An endless fountain of words, energy and hope.

4. What secret wish does Alice express after Nonna's funeral?
(a) To be a poet.
(b) To move to Florida.
(c) To play with the philharmonic.
(d) To have a child.

5. What was Mr. Early doing when he died?
(a) Gerdening.
(b) Reciting a poem.
(c) Marching in a parade.
(d) Sleeping.

6. How do Nonna and Alice communicate?
(a) With Miss O'Boyle as a translator.
(b) By writing on a spiral notepad.
(c) By writing on a slate.
(d) With hand gestures.

7. How does Alice's Walter die?
(a) He has a sudden heart attack.
(b) He is hit by a Geryhound bus.
(c) He is killed by thugs over a gambling debt.
(d) He overdoses on Perdocan and Scotch.

8. What is the last word that Mother speaks in the novel?
(a) Mother.
(b) Father.
(c) Alice.
(d) More.

9. Alice quotes someone, maybe her father, as saying, "A man sounds like money when he-"
(a) Speaks like a poet.
(b) Makes money.
(c) Wears expensive shoes.
(d) Is aggressive and loud.

10. How does Alice feel about Mr. Early?
(a) She admires him and wants to follow in his footsteps.
(b) She has a crush on him.
(c) She is very uncomfortable around him.
(d) She wants to please him.

11. Where does Alice stay during Arthur's funeral?
(a) With Arlette.
(b) At the Big House.
(c) In a hotel.
(d) At Uncle Billy's.

12. Who does Mother blame for the circumstances of her life?
(a) Her family.
(b) Father.
(c) Herself.
(d) Alice.

13. What type of a place is the location where Mother lives in Part Four?
(a) A rehab clinic.
(b) A singles apartment.
(c) A nursing home.
(d) A trailer.

14. In the section labeled Father, what does Mother tell Alice to do with her remains when she dies?
(a) Bury her with Father.
(b) Scatter her remains near the water.
(c) Bury her in the Fivey family plot.
(d) Scatter them anywhere.

15. How does Uncle Billy believe that Father died?
(a) Accidental overdose.
(b) Murder.
(c) Suicide.
(d) His poor driving.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Mother say about Nonna's feelings for her children?

2. How long does Alice believe it took for Father to die?

3. Who replaces Arthur?

4. What does Alice tell Mr. Early about Father?

5. What one subject is mentioned that Nonna and Alice talk about?

(see the answer keys)

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