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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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 sleep in the shed.
(c) Punched him right back.
(d) Sent him to be without supper.

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

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

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

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

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

13. 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.

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

15. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Elieen who Alma recalls when thinking of Pammy and Paulie's younger days?

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

3. What instrument did Pammy play briefly when she was younger?

4. What does Alma wish Pammy would have worn on their Mother's Day outing?

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

(see the answer keys)

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