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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's ex-lover, the salesman from Ohio, always have with him?

2. What does Debi think of Alma as a mother?

3. What does Pammy suggest Alma do when Debi waves at her?

4. What did Debi use in the Mac-n-cheese for her daughter and her male friend when they had no milk?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing point of view in "Mother's Day." The story is written in third person alternating between Alma and Debi's perspective. How does this impact the reader's understanding of the story's events? Is this effective? Why or why not?

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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