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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. The narrator states that the "free-loaders" (10) arrive when what object has broken yet again?

2. The young woman to whom the narrator refers as "Queenie" (5) puts what part of her foot down firmly as she walks around the store?

3. The narrator says that from the front doors of the A and P, he can see what kind of store?

4. In what part of town is the A and P located?

5. The narrator describes the young woman to whom he refers as "Queenie" (5) as being "more than" (3) what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Besides dressing differently than everyone else in the store, how else do the young women stand out?

2. Provide evidence for the conclusion that Sammy uses diminutive terms indiscriminate of his target's gender.

3. On what evidence does Sammy base his conclusion that one particular young woman is the leader?

4. What is Stokesie's family situation?

5. What are Sammy's feelings about Stokesie's career goal?

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

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

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

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

10. What is the symbolism of the buildings Sammy names?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explicate the theme of conformity within Updike’s story “A and P.” What is Updike’s message regarding conformity and how do you know? Be sure to consider characters that may represent conformity or its opposite.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the reasons why “A and P” uses a first-person narrator and a plot that unfolds in real time. What elements of the story's themes lend themselves to these choices and what are Updike’s intended effects on the reader?

Essay Topic 3

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

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This section contains 965 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample