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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Alma recall doing when she had once found Paul, Sr. passed out on their porch?
(a) She called the cops on him.
(b) She kicked him.
(c) She poured cold water on his head.
(d) She helped him to bed.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is Pammy doing while they walk Pine Street, which Alma finds nearly absurd?

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

4. What is Alma thankful Pammy and Paulie had not been bugging her about during this visit?

5. What did Paul, Sr., once call Alma while he was drunk?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Alma feel about how her children turned out despite being such smart children?

2. Who is Paul, Sr.? What did he do for work? Was he successful? How do you know?

3. What were Paul, Sr.'s vices?

4. What did Alma do for her husband to entice him to stay home when he began staying out all night when the children were young?

5. Who is Debi Hather? Where does Alma first see her in the story? How does Alma remember her?

6. What does Alma remember about the time she visited the zoo with Pammy and Paulie as children?

7. Who is Pammy? Who is Alma? Why are they together at the start of "Mother's Day"?

8. How does Alma feel about Pammy pointing out the purple flowers to her on their walk? What is Pammy wearing and how does Alma feel about her outfit?

9. Who is Paulie? Why is he not with Alma at the start of the story?

10. What does Paulie recall from the night he hit his father in the groin for scaring him and his sister? What does Alma recall?

(see the answer keys)

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