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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is comical about the fight between Joe and John?
(a) Neither man actually wants to fight.
(b) They keep falling because of the ice and mud.
(c) Neither man knows how to fight.
(d) The way they keep arguing about the babies while they fight.

2. 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 teases his son for letting a girl get the better of him.
(c) He laughs and tells Edith not to worry.
(d) He tells his wife that it is her job to handle the children.

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

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

5. 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 enjoying the attention she is getting.
(b) Mrs. Markey is making a big deal over nothing.
(c) Mrs. Markey is just trying to make Edith look bad.
(d) Mrs. Markey is lying about Billy being hurt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. 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.

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

14. 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 if John wants to come into his house to get cleaned up.
(c) He tells John that he only fought him to make his wife happy.
(d) He asks John if he and Edith want to come over to play bridge the next evening.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In the passage that describes the babies trying to get into the kitchen, how does the narrator's diction create a comic effect?

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

3. What does Ede think the stuffed bear that Billy is holding is?

4. Who is Ede named after?

5. To John Andros, what does Ede represent?

(see the answer keys)

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