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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 had the dates mixed up.
(b) He slept in.
(c) His flight was delayed.
(d) He missed his flight.

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

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

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

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

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 sex life.
(d) Their communication.

7. 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.

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

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

10. What did Pammy and Paulie witness one fourth of July when they were young and playing with sparklers?
(a) A car accident.
(b) Paul, Sr. having sex with another woman.
(c) Paul, Sr. hit Alma.
(d) Their parents having sex.

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

12. 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 entice Paul to stop seeing other women.
(d) To impress her boyfriend.

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

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

15. 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.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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