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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What is Mrs. Markey's first concern when Ede and Billy are arguing over the teddy bear?
(a) Whether her guests are upset.
(b) Whether the children have gotten their clothing dirty.
(c) Whether Billy or Ede started the trouble.
(d) Whether Billy is physically hurt.

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

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

5. What is the meaning of "amity" as it is used on page 5?
(a) Diplomacy.
(b) Friendship.
(c) Rivalry.
(d) Compromise.

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

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

8. When John walks into the Markey house, what is the first thing that Edith tells him?
(a) Mrs. Markey has been calling her names.
(b) He needs to defend his daughter.
(c) His lateness caused her to lose her temper.
(d) The Markeys are throwing her out of the house.

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

10. What does Ede think the stuffed bear that Billy is holding is?
(a) A cat.
(b) A dog.
(c) A monkey.
(d) A monster.

11. What word does Mrs. Markey use to describe Ede on page 5 that Edith takes as a potential criticism?
(a) "Baby."
(b) "Smart."
(c) "Fresh."
(d) "Little."

12. What word describes John's attitude toward Joe during their argument?
(a) Pitying.
(b) Wounded.
(c) Contemptuous.
(d) Ambivalent.

13. Why does Mr. Markey go upstairs after the altercation between Billy and Ede?
(a) To call the doctor.
(b) To calm himself down.
(c) To get another teddy bear.
(d) To get witch-hazel.

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

15. What word does the narrator use on page 3 to describe the moments that John spends on the phone with Ede?
(a) Wondrous.
(b) Vivid.
(c) Bewildering.
(d) Amusing.

Short Answer Questions

1. When John arrives at the Markeys' door, whom does he hear crying?

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

3. What does John hear as he is heading back into his house after the fight?

4. What terms does John use on page 4 as he wonders about Ede's party dress?

5. John enjoys hearing Ede's "non sequiturs" (3). What does this describe in his daughter's speech?

(see the answer keys)

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