View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Pammy wear while out with her mother on Mother's Day?
(a) A sweatshirt with a crossed-out machine gun on it.
(b) A t-shirt with a half-naked guy on it.
(c) A very short dress.
(d) A torn sweater and ripped jeans.

2. What does Pammy try to point out to her mother as they walk Pine Street at the start of the story?
(a) Purple flowers.
(b) The rain clouds.
(c) All the traffic.
(d) The nice houses.

3. Who is the author of "Mother's Day"?
(a) George Orwell.
(b) David Foster Wallace.
(c) John Cheever.
(d) George Saunders.

4. Who is Elieen who Alma recalls when thinking of Pammy and Paulie's younger days?
(a) Pammy's best friend.
(b) Paulie's ex-girlfriend.
(c) Paulie's teacher.
(d) Pammy's first girlfriend.

5. What did Alma feel her children ruined when it came to her and Paul, Sr.'s relationship?
(a) Their financial stability.
(b) Their sex life.
(c) Their vacationing.
(d) Their communication.

6. What does Alma think the place Pammy works smells like?
(a) Patchouli.
(b) Sweat.
(c) Crap.
(d) Hemp.

7. What was Paul, Sr.'s occupation?
(a) Salesman.
(b) Cab driver.
(c) Arborist.
(d) Gardener.

8. What does Alma recall doing when she had once found Paul, Sr. passed out on their porch?
(a) She kicked him.
(b) She called the cops on him.
(c) She helped him to bed.
(d) She poured cold water on his head.

9. In what industry does Paulie work?
(a) Construction.
(b) Education.
(c) Ad sales.
(d) Banking.

10. How does Alma remember Debi when they were in high school?
(a) A quiet, conservative girl.
(b) A dirty, rude girl.
(c) A bright, charming girl.
(d) A strange, trashy girl.

11. What does Paulie claim his father did to him when he punched him in the groin when he was young?
(a) Called the cops on him.
(b) Sent him to be without supper.
(c) Sent him to sleep in the shed.
(d) Punched him right back.

12. What is Debi doing outside of her house when Alma sees her as she and Pammy reach the house?
(a) Sweeping her sidewalk.
(b) Mowing her lawn.
(c) Painting her house.
(d) Planting roses.

13. Why did Paulie miss the Mother's Day outing with Pammy and Alma?
(a) He had the dates mixed up.
(b) His flight was delayed.
(c) He missed his flight.
(d) He slept in.

14. In addition to working "dumb jobs" (3) and never marrying, what are Pammy and Paulie always doing?
(a) Asking Alma for money.
(b) Moving from one apartment to another.
(c) Talking about their feelings.
(d) Going on fad diets.

15. Why did Alma begin wearing "the wildest underthings" (4) when her children were young?
(a) Because Paul asked her to.
(b) To impress her boyfriend.
(c) To entice Paul to stop seeing other women.
(d) She had started stripping to make extra money.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Pammy and Paulie witness one fourth of July when they were young and playing with sparklers?

2. Where does Alma say she wants to go when Pammy suggests they walk up Pickle Street?

3. What did Pammy take Alma to on Mother's Day?

4. When Pammy snaps Alma out of her daydream when they are walking, what reason does Alma give for stopping?

5. Where does Pammy work?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 551 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample