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

2. What did Alma feel her children ruined when it came to her and Paul, Sr.'s relationship?
(a) Their vacationing.
(b) Their sex life.
(c) Their financial stability.
(d) Their communication.

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

4. 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.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What did Alma once do when Pammy and Paulie did not listen to her at the zoo?

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

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

5. Why did Alma begin wearing "the wildest underthings" (4) when her children were young?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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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