View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How long is the fight between John and Joe?
(a) 5 minutes.
(b) 2 minutes.
(c) 20 minutes.
(d) 10 minutes.

3. 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 making a big deal over nothing.
(b) Mrs. Markey is enjoying the attention she is getting.
(c) Mrs. Markey is just trying to make Edith look bad.
(d) Mrs. Markey is lying about Billy being hurt.

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

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

6. John enjoys hearing Ede's "non sequiturs" (3). What does this describe in his daughter's speech?
(a) Ideas that flow continuously without waiting for a response.
(b) Ideas that are more emotional than rational.
(c) Ideas that are more fantasy than reality.
(d) Ideas that have no logical connection.

7. 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) Anaphora.
(c) Epizeuxis.
(d) Antithesis.

8. What amuses John about the idea of the baby party?
(a) The idea of the babies causing chaos in someone else's house.
(b) The idea that anyone would want to go to a party for babies.
(c) The idea that babies would even understand the idea of a party.
(d) The idea of the mothers all making critical remarks about one another's children.

9. What technique is used in the page 4 phrase "the moon was out, shining with proud brilliance on the thin sugary snow"?
(a) Personification.
(b) Conceit.
(c) Euphemism.
(d) Allusion.

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

11. What does Edith tell John she thought that he and Joe were going to do when she went back into the house?
(a) Go to the bar to get a drink together.
(b) Fight each other.
(c) Argue a little bit and then come inside.
(d) Shake hands and make peace.

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

13. 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 husbands.
(c) Gossiping about their in-laws.
(d) Bragging about their children.

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

15. How old is John Andros?
(a) 42.
(b) 38.
(c) 32.
(d) 48.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Joe angrily asks John if John thinks he is going to get away with the things he has just said, what does John do?

2. What is implied about the sudden end to the phone conversation between Edith and John when she tells him about the baby party?

3. What surprising thing does Joe say to John after the fight?

4. What is Billy doing as the adults around him begin to argue loudly?

5. When John argues with Joe, what does John make the argument about?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 765 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample