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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What amuses John about the idea of the baby party?

3. As John walks to the Markeys' house, what is he wondering about?

4. 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?

5. What technique is used in the page 4 phrase "the moon was out, shining with proud brilliance on the thin sugary snow"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the dispute between Ede and Billy begin, and what happens during their argument?

2. What background information does the narrator give about John, and how does this background affect his mood when he is headed for the party?

3. What does John hear when he approaches the Markeys' house, and what is his response?

4. Before John arrives at the party, why is Edith irritated with him?

5. What does Edith see when she first arrives at the baby party?

6. What does John Andros see as the drawbacks to being a father?

7. How do the mothers react to Ede, and how does she react to the party?

8. What does John Andros enjoy about being a father?

9. How do John and Joe end up fighting?

10. Describe the setting of "The Baby Party."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay that compares and contrasts the altercations between Ede and Billy, Edith and Mrs. Markey, and John and Joe. Be sure that your essay advances a claim about the significance of the similarities and differences. Defend your arguments with evidence from the text.

Essay Topic 2

John Markey is only 38 years old, but because of events in his past, he feels older. Write an essay that considers the significance of this detail in relationship to the overall theme of "The Baby Party." Use evidence from the text to support your claims.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay that makes and defends a claim about the significance of Billy's teddy bear. Defend your arguments with evidence from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 974 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample