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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Joe angrily asks John if John thinks he is going to get away with the things he has just said, what does John do?
(a) Punches Joe in the face.
(b) Laughs.
(c) Walks out the door.
(d) Turns around to confront Joe again.

2. How old is Ede when the story takes place?
(a) 2 1/2.
(b) 3.
(c) 2.
(d) 1 1/2.

3. In the passage that describes the babies trying to get into the kitchen, how does the narrator's diction create a comic effect?
(a) Through parody.
(b) Through contrast.
(c) Through double entendre.
(d) Through understatement.

4. What is implied about the sudden end to the phone conversation between Edith and John when she tells him about the baby party?
(a) The unreliable phone service in the suburbs has cut out.
(b) John hears his boss coming and quickly ends the personal call.
(c) Edith is angry at her husband and has hung up on him.
(d) Ede has pulled the phone out of her mother's hand.

5. What amuses John about the idea of the baby party?
(a) The idea that anyone would want to go to a party for babies.
(b) The idea that babies would even understand the idea of a party.
(c) The idea of the babies causing chaos in someone else's house.
(d) The idea of the mothers all making critical remarks about one another's children.

6. What interrupts Edith's thoughts about John as the party is winding down?
(a) The doorbell rings and another father enters the room.
(b) Mrs. Markey suggests that Edith might want to call John.
(c) Ede pushes Billy down and Billy cries out.
(d) Billy opens a present and Ede asks her mother what it is.

7. How long is the fight between John and Joe?
(a) 2 minutes.
(b) 5 minutes.
(c) 10 minutes.
(d) 20 minutes.

8. When John arrives at the Markeys' door, whom does he hear crying?
(a) Edith.
(b) Ede.
(c) Billy.
(d) Mrs. Markey.

9. After they leave the Markeys' house, why does John watch to make sure that Edith has reached their own walkway?
(a) He is concerned that she will get into another argument with Mrs. Markey.
(b) He does not want her to overhear what he is about to say to Joe.
(c) He wants his daughter to get out of the cold December air.
(d) He wants her safely out of the way before he and Joe fight.

10. At the end of the story, what does John tell Edith he expects her to do?
(a) Teach Ede better manners.
(b) Apologize to Mrs. Markey.
(c) Punish Ede for shoving Billy.
(d) Stop going over to the Markeys' house.

11. Besides "rude," what does Edith call Mrs. Markey on page 10?
(a) "Fat."
(b) "Fool."
(c) "Snippy."
(d) "Common."

12. What technique is used in the page 3 phrase "her eyes with their irises of morning blue"?
(a) Allusion.
(b) Simile.
(c) Synesthesia.
(d) Imagery.

13. What technique is used in the page 4 phrase "the moon was out, shining with proud brilliance on the thin sugary snow"?
(a) Personification.
(b) Allusion.
(c) Euphemism.
(d) Conceit.

14. Why is Edith eager for John to arrive at the Markeys' house?
(a) She wants the other women to see how devoted he is to her.
(b) She hopes that he will talk to the Markeys so she does not have to.
(c) She wants an excuse to leave the party.
(d) She wants him to see how wonderful Ede is in this context.

15. What is Billy doing as the adults around him begin to argue loudly?
(a) Eating more cake.
(b) Playing with his toy.
(c) Crying.
(d) Sleeping.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Joe Markey comes downstairs and hears Edith insult his wife and child, what does he tell Edith to do?

2. When John argues with Joe, what does John make the argument about?

3. What does Edith decide is true about John when he has not arrived by six o'clock?

4. Why are all of the children at the party so carefully dressed?

5. What technique is used in the page 3 phrase "the weary merry-go-round of the commuting train"?

(see the answer keys)

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