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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does John hear as he is heading back into his house after the fight?
(a) The sound of Ede's laughter from inside his house.
(b) A police siren approaching the house.
(c) An argument starting between Joe and Mrs. Markey.
(d) The sound of the later train that he usually takes home from work.

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

3. 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 is confused and upset by all of the shouting.
(c) She hears Mr. Markey call both her and her mother insulting names.
(d) She is overtired and wants her father to pay attention to her.

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

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

6. What does Edith feel when she joins Ede in her misbehavior?
(a) Relief and freedom.
(b) Solidarity and defiance.
(c) Anxiety and exhilaration.
(d) Shame and embarrassment.

7. When Joe Markey comes downstairs and hears Edith insult his wife and child, what does he tell Edith to do?
(a) Control herself.
(b) Apologize to his wife.
(c) Mind her manners.
(d) Get out of his house.

8. When Edith is interrupted, on page 9, as she says that Mrs. Markey is making "a mountain out of--" what idea is she trying to convey?
(a) Mrs. Markey is making a big deal over nothing.
(b) Mrs. Markey is lying about Billy being hurt.
(c) Mrs. Markey is enjoying the attention she is getting.
(d) Mrs. Markey is just trying to make Edith look bad.

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

10. What word best describes the narrator's tone toward modern parenting practices?
(a) Skeptical.
(b) Confused.
(c) Concerned.
(d) Enthusiastic.

11. What technique is used in the page 3 phrase "the weary merry-go-round of the commuting train"?
(a) Hyperbole.
(b) Personification.
(c) Juxtaposition.
(d) Metaphor.

12. What surprising thing does Joe say to John after the fight?
(a) He tells John that it was a good fight, and he enjoyed it.
(b) He asks John if he and Edith want to come over to play bridge the next evening.
(c) He tells John that he only fought him to make his wife happy.
(d) He asks if John wants to come into his house to get cleaned up.

13. 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) Epizeuxis.
(b) Antithesis.
(c) Anaphora.
(d) Antistrophe.

14. What word does Mrs. Markey use on page 9 that infuriates Edith?
(a) "Monster."
(b) "Brat."
(c) "Spoiled."
(d) "Goblin."

15. How old is John Andros?
(a) 38.
(b) 42.
(c) 32.
(d) 48.

Short Answer Questions

1. When John walks into the Markey house, what is the first thing that Edith tells him?

2. What word describes John's attitude toward Joe during their argument?

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

4. What is the meaning of "amity" as it is used on page 5?

5. How old is Ede when the story takes place?

(see the answer keys)

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