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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 Pammy suggest Alma do when Debi waves at her?
(a) Tell her off.
(b) Ignore her.
(c) Flip her off.
(d) Wave back.

2. How did Alma respond when Pammy suggested Debi Hather was an old friend?
(a) She said she had never seen the woman in her life.
(b) She said she was not sure Debi would remember her.
(c) She said she used to sleep with her father.
(d) She said she never meant anything to them.

3. How does Debi describe her daughter when thinking "somehow she'd go stuck with the wrong kid" (7)?
(a) Snooty.
(b) Out-there.
(c) Wild.
(d) Uptight.

4. How does Debi describe Alma's face when she first sees her from across the street?
(a) Fuzzy peach.
(b) Sour lemon.
(c) Big old prune.
(d) Shriveled apple.

5. What does Debi imagine Alma would learn about her husband when she reached Heaven and watched the movie of her life?
(a) He cheated on her constantly.
(b) He was always faithful.
(c) He was a drunk.
(d) He did not make it to Heaven.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Debi refuse to judge Alma or anyone?

2. What does Debi recall her daughter doing when she brought a boy named Rob over, which Debi could not fathom?

3. How long had it been since Debi last heard from her daughter?

4. When reflecting on her past, what does Debi think of "as a form of joyous overflow" (6)?

5. What did Debi see Paulie doing the day before at Wegmans?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene at Paul's gravesite a few days after his funeral.

2. When did Vicky leave? Where did she go? With whom? What was the last word Debi received from her daughter?

3. Why does Debi think she should have been born in the future?

4. Why is Debi surprised Alma's children pay any attention to her on Mother's Day? What did Debi see Paulie doing at Wegman's the day before Mother's Day?

5. How does Debi try to cope with the fact that Vicky ran away from her?

6. What was Debi's relationship with Paul, Sr.? How does Debi feel about Paul and his behavior?

7. What has Debi done in her past which she admits makes her no angel?

8. What happened when Vicky brought a boy name Rob over? In what way did Debi embarrass Vicky? What did Vicky do that Debi found absurd?

9. Who is Vicky? Describe her relationship with Debi.

10. What does Pammy say to Alma when they first see Debi? How does Alma respond?

(see the answer keys)

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