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

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Alma recall Pammy doing once when Alma tried to adjust her collar when she was younger?

5. What does Pammy wear while out with her mother on Mother's Day?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. 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?

6. 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?

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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