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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the most difficult part of parenting seem to be for John?
(a) Tolerating the mess and chaos of a small child.
(b) Letting his child develop into her own person.
(c) Worrying about how to provide for his family.
(d) Understanding the needs of a small child.

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

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

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

5. How old is Ede when the story takes place?
(a) 1 1/2.
(b) 3.
(c) 2 1/2.
(d) 2.

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

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

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

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

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

11. 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 lying about Billy being hurt.
(c) Mrs. Markey is just trying to make Edith look bad.
(d) Mrs. Markey is making a big deal over nothing.

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

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

14. How do the Androses know the Markeys?
(a) Joe and John went to college together.
(b) They are next-door neighbors.
(c) Joe and John work at the same firm.
(d) They are in the same bridge club.

15. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Edith tell John she thought that he and Joe were going to do when she went back into the house?

2. What technique is used in the page 3 phrase "her eyes with their irises of morning blue"?

3. Why is Edith eager for John to arrive at the Markeys' house?

4. What causes the two men to stop fighting?

5. What does the narrator mean by "even his feeling about his little girl was qualified" (3)?

(see the answer keys)

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