View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Mother say about Nonna's feelings for her children?
(a) That she only had room in her heart for Billy.
(b) That she was overprotective and worried constantly.
(c) That she resented both of her children.
(d) That she ignored both of her children.

2. Where does Alice say that Father is buried?
(a) Near the church he attended.
(b) With his parents.
(c) Far from the church he attended.
(d) In the plot adjacent to Nonna and her husband.

3. How does Uncle Billy believe that Father died?
(a) His poor driving.
(b) Suicide.
(c) Accidental overdose.
(d) Murder.

4. What was Mr. Early doing when he died?
(a) Marching in a parade.
(b) Gerdening.
(c) Reciting a poem.
(d) Sleeping.

5. Where do Aunt Frances and Uncle Billy live when Alice visits them in Part Four?
(a) Tucson.
(b) Florida.
(c) Babados.
(d) The Big House.

6. How is Nonna described in Part Two:The Big House-Arthur?
(a) As having a heart of stone.
(b) As being soft-hearted.
(c) As being heartless.
(d) As having a hardened heart.

7. What does Alice say that Nonna felt about her children?
(a) She adored her children.
(b) She never wanted a second child.
(c) She never wanted to have children.
(d) She felt they deserved a better mother.

8. Alice quotes someone, maybe her father, as saying, "A man sounds like money when he-"
(a) Speaks like a poet.
(b) Is aggressive and loud.
(c) Makes money.
(d) Wears expensive shoes.

9. Who calls Alice to tell her about Mr. Early's death?
(a) Aunt Frances.
(b) Mother.
(c) Arlette.
(d) Mrs. Early.

10. How do Nonna and Alice communicate?
(a) By writing on a slate.
(b) With Miss O'Boyle as a translator.
(c) By writing on a spiral notepad.
(d) With hand gestures.

11. Why is Alice in a lawyer's office?
(a) To deal with Arhtur's estate.
(b) To avoid forecolsure on her brownstone.
(c) To deal with Nonna's estate.
(d) To figure out what she owes Walter's estate.

12. What does Alice expect when she visits her mother in the last chapter?
(a) That Mother will die.
(b) That Mother will be unable to speak.
(c) That she will pay more than she can afford for Mother's burial.
(d) That the nurses will have plans for Mother's room.

13. What does Alice want to draw?
(a) The desert at sunset.
(b) Her aunt and uncle, their hands, their glasses.
(c) Her future.
(d) Mother, as she used to be.

14. What job does Alice have when she visits Mother after Nonna's funeral?
(a) She is a waitress.
(b) She is a teacher.
(c) She is a social worker.
(d) She is a counselor.

15. What does Alice say she and her students mourn?
(a) A culture that appreciated words.
(b) A teacher like Mr. Early.
(c) Dead poets.
(d) Leather-bound books.

Short Answer Questions

1. How do Alice and her Walter each deal with their troubled relationship?

2. How does Alice describe Mr. Early when he taught high school?

3. How did Alice and Mr. Early keep in touch until his death?

4. Where does Mother live at the time of Nonna's funeral?

5. How does Alice say that Nonna described Mother?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 558 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample