View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What does Alma recall Pammy doing once when Alma tried to adjust her collar when she was younger?
(a) Holding her hand.
(b) Slapping her.
(c) Kissing her cheek.
(d) Crying.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. Where does Pammy work?
(a) No Animals Need Die.
(b) No People Should Go Hungry.
(c) No Guns Necessary.
(d) No Trees Need Die.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did Paulie miss the Mother's Day outing with Pammy and Alma?

2. What does Alma recall doing when she had once found Paul, Sr. passed out on their porch?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 510 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample