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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What amuses John about the idea of the baby party?
(a) The idea of the mothers all making critical remarks about one another's children.
(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 that anyone would want to go to a party for babies.

2. What does John do to accommodate Edith's wishes?
(a) Leaves work early so that he can get to the party before it ends.
(b) Stops to get Ede a sweater on his way to the party.
(c) Brings a camera to take pictures at the party.
(d) Stops to get a baby gift on his way home.

3. What does the narrator say, on page 6, is the "real business of the afternoon"?
(a) Bragging about their husbands.
(b) Gossiping about their in-laws.
(c) Gossiping about women who are not present.
(d) Bragging about their children.

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

5. 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 understatement.
(d) Through double entendre.

6. What technique is used on page 3 when John's life is described as "a series of struggles up a series of rugged hills"?
(a) Anaphora.
(b) Epizeuxis.
(c) Antithesis.
(d) Antistrophe.

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

8. What terms does John use on page 4 as he wonders about Ede's party dress?
(a) "Incomprehensible and frilly."
(b) "Monstrous and vain."
(c) "Radical and mature."
(d) "Bizarre and expensive."

9. When John argues with Joe, what does John make the argument about?
(a) The silliness of having a party for babies.
(b) The merits of their respective wives.
(c) Their relative social status.
(d) The quality of Joe's manhood.

10. When Edith tells Ede, on page 8, that she is a "bad girl," what does Ede do?
(a) Laughs.
(b) Cries.
(c) Shrugs.
(d) Hides.

11. Why does Ede begin to cry shortly after her father arrives at the Markeys' house?
(a) She does not want to leave the party.
(b) She hears Mr. Markey call both her and her mother insulting names.
(c) She is overtired and wants her father to pay attention to her.
(d) She is confused and upset by all of the shouting.

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

13. Why are all of the children at the party so carefully dressed?
(a) Mrs. Markey is known to be a snob about clothing.
(b) It is a way to show respect to the party's hosts.
(c) Their parents want to show them off.
(d) Their parents want them to be comfortable while they play.

14. What does Edith decide is true about John when he has not arrived by six o'clock?
(a) He shows no interest in the things that make Edith happy.
(b) He has lost track of time at work.
(c) He has little pride in his own child.
(d) He has forgotten all about her request.

15. When Ede and Billy argue over the teddy bear, what is Joe Markey's initial response?
(a) He teases his son for letting a girl get the better of him.
(b) He tells his wife that it is her job to handle the children.
(c) He scolds Ede and embarrasses Edith.
(d) He laughs and tells Edith not to worry.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is John Andros?

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

3. How long is the fight between John and Joe?

4. What is comical about the fight between Joe and John?

5. What word does Mrs. Markey use to describe Ede on page 5 that Edith takes as a potential criticism?

(see the answer keys)

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