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

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

3. How does Debi think of herself as a mother?

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

5. What is Debi's daughter's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay discussing the setting and time period of "Mother's Day." In what ways does the time period and setting impact your understanding of the story as well as the themes?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about how the rainstorm impacts the narrative and moves the story's plot.

(see the answer keys)

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