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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Ede and Billy argue over the teddy bear, what is Joe Markey's initial response?
(a) He tells his wife that it is her job to handle the children.
(b) He laughs and tells Edith not to worry.
(c) He teases his son for letting a girl get the better of him.
(d) He scolds Ede and embarrasses Edith.

2. What does John do to accommodate Edith's wishes?
(a) Stops to get Ede a sweater on his way to the party.
(b) Stops to get a baby gift on his way home.
(c) Brings a camera to take pictures at the party.
(d) Leaves work early so that he can get to the party before it ends.

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

4. What surprising thing does Joe say to John after the fight?
(a) He asks John if he and Edith want to come over to play bridge the next evening.
(b) He tells John that it was a good fight, and he enjoyed it.
(c) He tells John that he only fought him to make his wife happy.
(d) He asks if John wants to come into his house to get cleaned up.

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

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

7. What does the narrator say, on page 6, is the "real business of the afternoon"?
(a) Gossiping about women who are not present.
(b) Bragging about their children.
(c) Bragging about their husbands.
(d) Gossiping about their in-laws.

8. What does Mrs. Markey say should be the consequence of Ede's behavior?
(a) She should be spanked.
(b) She should have to give Billy one of her toys.
(c) She should have to apologize to Billy.
(d) She should not be allowed to go to the next party.

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

10. In the passage that describes the babies trying to get into the kitchen, how does the narrator's diction create a comic effect?
(a) Through understatement.
(b) Through parody.
(c) Through contrast.
(d) Through double entendre.

11. What technique is used on page 3 when John's life is described as "a series of struggles up a series of rugged hills"?
(a) Antistrophe.
(b) Antithesis.
(c) Epizeuxis.
(d) Anaphora.

12. Who is Ede named after?
(a) Her mother's mother.
(b) Her father's sister.
(c) Her mother.
(d) Her father's mother.

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

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

15. Why are all of the children at the party so carefully dressed?
(a) It is a way to show respect to the party's hosts.
(b) Their parents want them to be comfortable while they play.
(c) Their parents want to show them off.
(d) Mrs. Markey is known to be a snob about clothing.

Short Answer Questions

1. What terms does John use on page 4 as he wonders about Ede's party dress?

2. When John walks into the Markey house, what is the first thing that Edith tells him?

3. What does Edith feel when she joins Ede in her misbehavior?

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

5. What word best describes the narrator's tone toward modern parenting practices?

(see the answer keys)

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