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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. In what is Queenie's hair styled?

2. What is NOT an action the narrator describes as being part of the other customers' reactions to seeing the young women?

3. At which register is Stokesie working throughout the story?

4. What adjective does the narrator use to describe Stokesie's "voice" as he asks Sammy, "Is it done" (9)?

5. What does the narrator describe as the source of the bleached appearance of the hair of the young woman he calls "Queenie" (5)?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is ironic about Sammy's reaction when he sees McMahon ogling the young women?

2. How is the animal motif included within Paragraphs 1-6?

3. Provide evidence for the conclusion that there are many people in Sammy's town who are set in their ways.

4. What is Sammy's purpose for using a historical allusion in Paragraph 1?

5. Discuss the way in which Sammy objectifies the three young women.

6. What is the setting of the story "A and P"?

7. In what way is Sammy demonstrating true empathy toward the young women with his comment beginning with "Poor kids" (11)?

8. Discuss how Updike uses language to indicate the character traits of Sammy.

9. What is Stokesie's family situation?

10. Describe the three young women who enter the store.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trace the characterization arc of Sammy’s character throughout the story. Discuss whether Sammy is a round or flat character and whether he is a static or dynamic character.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Updike’s focus on the theme of class differences within the story. What message is Updike sending about class, privilege, and wealth?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the story’s use of the animal motif. Why does Sammy continually use language associated with farm animals, and how does this choice dovetail with messages depicted in the story?

(see the answer keys)

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