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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who sends something to Mother every year on her birthday?
(a) A banker.
(b) A judge.
(c) A florist.
(d) A lawyer.

2. What does an inanimate object whisper to Paul?
(a) It is lonely.
(b) It needs money.
(c) It is sick.
(d) It is dying.

3. What is Malabar?
(a) A dog.
(b) A kind of wood.
(c) A horse.
(d) A servant.

4. Where is Paul told to take a trip to after Mother's birthday?
(a) The farm land.
(b) The seaside.
(c) The races.
(d) The school.

5. Why does Paul refuse his trip after his Mother's birthday?
(a) It would use up too much money.
(b) It is not what the house wants.
(c) He has to focus on the derby.
(d) He doesn't deserve it.

Short Answer Questions

1. What color are Paul's eyes after the party?

2. What keeps Mother at the party after she wants to leave?

3. How does Mother feel when Paul turns down the trip after her birthday?

4. What does Paul bet on to make money?

5. How much money does Mother hope to get on her birthday?

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes in Mother after she gets the birthday gift?

2. What causes Mother to become more connected to Paul?

3. What does Mother say caused her family a lot of grief when she was younger?

4. How is Malabar significant to the story?

5. What does Mother do when she begins getting worried about Paul?

6. How does the book end?

7. Why does Paul think he was able to predict all the horse winners?

8. What does the house say to Paul after his mother gets her birthday present?

9. What is symbolic in Paul's death?

10. What ends up actually happening with Paul's winnings from the races?

(see the answer keys)

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