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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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 understatement.
(b) Through contrast.
(c) Through parody.
(d) Through double entendre.

4. 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.

5. 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) Laughs.
(b) Walks out the door.
(c) Punches Joe in the face.
(d) Turns around to confront Joe again.

6. What does Edith tell John she thought that he and Joe were going to do when she went back into the house?
(a) Fight each other.
(b) Shake hands and make peace.
(c) Argue a little bit and then come inside.
(d) Go to the bar to get a drink together.

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

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

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

10. What are the children doing when Edith and Ede arrive at the party?
(a) Dancing.
(b) Watching a magician.
(c) Playing a game.
(d) Eating candy.

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

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

13. What begins to happen after the children have their cake and ice cream?
(a) The children become fussy.
(b) Guests begin to leave the party.
(c) Billy begins to open his presents.
(d) The mothers begin to plan another baby party.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Besides "rude," what does Edith call Mrs. Markey on page 10?

2. How old is John Andros?

3. Edith thinks that Mrs. Markey is "snippy" (5). What does she think is true about Mrs. Markey?

4. What does John do to accommodate Edith's wishes?

5. What does Mrs. Markey say should be the consequence of Ede's behavior?

(see the answer keys)

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