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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What did Paul, Sr., once call Alma while he was drunk?
(a) Peggy.
(b) Muffin.
(c) Lolly.
(d) Milly.

4. What did Pammy take Alma to on Mother's Day?
(a) Lunch.
(b) The movies.
(c) A hotel.
(d) A park.

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

6. What does Alma wish Pammy would have worn on their Mother's Day outing?
(a) A silk blouse and slacks.
(b) Something more casual.
(c) Shorts and a tank top.
(d) A nice dress or pants suit.

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

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

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

10. What is Pammy doing while they walk Pine Street, which Alma finds nearly absurd?
(a) Telling everyone to wish her mother a Happy Mother's Day.
(b) Yelling at strangers.
(c) Talking loudly.
(d) Holding Alma's hand.

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

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

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) Frightened.
(b) Apathetic.
(c) Excited.
(d) Impressed.

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

15. What does Alma recall about Debi's parents?
(a) They were deaf.
(b) They were dancers.
(c) They were hippies.
(d) They both had limps.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Alma recall Paul, Sr. doing the time Pammy slapped her?

2. Where does Pammy work?

3. What does Alma think the place Pammy works smells like?

4. What does Pammy try to point out to her mother as they walk Pine Street at the start of the story?

5. What did Alma feel her children ruined when it came to her and Paul, Sr.'s relationship?

(see the answer keys)

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