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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Debi describe her daughter when thinking "somehow she'd go stuck with the wrong kid" (7)?

2. What does Debi think she should do to Alma that "would freak the old bitch out" (6)?

3. What did Debi do a few days after Paul's funeral?

4. What did Paul once give to Debi after they had sex behind St. Jude's?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a brief essay analyzing the title “Mother's Day." Explore the ways in which this title connects to the plot and themes of the story.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining Debi's sweeping as a symbol in "Mother's Day." In what scenes does Debi's sweeping appear? What is the context? How does this develop the narrative?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay exploring the importance gender has on the story. What does the story say about womanhood and motherhood? Why is this important?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 795 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample