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

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

3. What does Debi think the salesman from Ohio might have to explain to "St. Whoever" (6) after he dies?

4. What did Paul buy Alma for her birthday not long before he died?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

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

5. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the author of "Mother's Day." Who is he? What else has he written? How is "Mother's Day" similar or different from his previous works?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Though Debi and Alma's thoughts the readers sees how each woman copes by rewriting the past. Write an essay explore the ways in which both Debi and Alma rewrite their story. What parts of their story do they change and why?

(see the answer keys)

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