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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Paulie try to give Alma and Paul, Sr. when they nearly lost their house?
(a) Several gold pieces.
(b) A cup of pennies.
(c) His life savings.
(d) A couple of crumpled dollar bills.

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

3. What did Alma once do when Pammy and Paulie did not listen to her at the zoo?
(a) She called the cops.
(b) She left them there.
(c) She had Paul, Sr. take them home.
(d) She spanked them both.

4. What word did Paul, Sr. once use to describe "the efficacy of his tree stimulator" (3)?
(a) Treacherous.
(b) Spontaneous.
(c) Fabulous.
(d) Nebulous.

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

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

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

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

9. Where does Alma say she wants to go when Pammy suggests they walk up Pickle Street?
(a) To the movies.
(b) Paul, Sr.'s grave.
(c) Out for lunch.
(d) Dress shopping.

10. What is Alma thankful Pammy and Paulie had not been bugging her about during this visit?
(a) Her drinking.
(b) Her smoking.
(c) Finding a boyfriend.
(d) Her looks.

11. When Pammy snaps Alma out of her daydream when they are walking, what reason does Alma give for stopping?
(a) She was daydreaming.
(b) Her knees hurt.
(c) She thought she forgot something at the restaurant.
(d) She cannot remember where she is.

12. What does Alma recall Paul, Sr. doing the time Pammy slapped her?
(a) He slapped her back.
(b) He yelled at Alma for bugging Pammy.
(c) He walked by and said nothing.
(d) He punished Pammy for two weeks.

13. How does Alma feel about what her daughter tries to point out to her as the walk Pine Street at the start of the story?
(a) Excited.
(b) Apathetic.
(c) Impressed.
(d) Frightened.

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

15. What instrument did Pammy play briefly when she was younger?
(a) Trumpet.
(b) Piccolo.
(c) Harp.
(d) Drums.

Short Answer Questions

1. In addition to working "dumb jobs" (3) and never marrying, what are Pammy and Paulie always doing?

2. What does Alma recall about Debi's parents?

3. What was Paul, Sr.'s occupation?

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

5. What does Paulie claim his father did to him when he punched him in the groin when he was young?

(see the answer keys)

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