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

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. What does Alma recall about Debi's parents?

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

5. How does Alma feel about what her daughter tries to point out to her as the walk Pine Street at the start of the story?

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

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

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

6. 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?

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

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

9. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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