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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 does Debi think of herself as a mother?

2. How does Debi describe Alma's face when she first sees her from across the street?

3. How does Debi describe her daughter when thinking "somehow she'd go stuck with the wrong kid" (7)?

4. What does Debi recall Paul telling her in the last year of his life?

5. What does Debi think she should do to Alma that "would freak the old bitch out" (6)?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Debi try to cope with the fact that Vicky ran away from her?

2. What has Debi done in her past which she admits makes her no angel?

3. What was Debi's relationship with Paul, Sr.? How does Debi feel about Paul and his behavior?

4. What happened when Vicky brought a boy name Rob over? In what way did Debi embarrass Vicky? What did Vicky do that Debi found absurd?

5. Who is Vicky? Describe her relationship with Debi.

6. What does Pammy say to Alma when they first see Debi? How does Alma respond?

7. Why does Debi think she should have been born in the future?

8. When did Vicky leave? Where did she go? With whom? What was the last word Debi received from her daughter?

9. Why is Debi surprised Alma's children pay any attention to her on Mother's Day? What did Debi see Paulie doing at Wegman's the day before Mother's Day?

10. Describe the scene at Paul's gravesite a few days after his funeral.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay about the author of "Mother's Day." Who is he? What else has he written? How is "Mother's Day" similar or different from his previous works?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay discussing the setting and time period of "Mother's Day." In what ways does the time period and setting impact your understanding of the story as well as the themes?

Essay Topic 3

Write a brief essay analyzing the title “Mother's Day." Explore the ways in which this title connects to the plot and themes of the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample