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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. What adjective does the narrator use to describe the young woman when he depicts her picking up a package and putting it back down?
(a) Tall.
(b) Fat.
(c) Skinny.
(d) Short.

2. For how many years does the narrator say the woman he calls the "cash-register-watcher" (1) has been waiting for a cashier to make a mistake?
(a) 20.
(b) 40.
(c) 30.
(d) 10.

3. The narrator describes the A and P's stock of records as "a waste of" (12) what?
(a) Wax.
(b) Space.
(c) Oil.
(d) Vinyl.

4. What does the narrator describe the young women as wearing?
(a) Tank tops.
(b) Bathing suits.
(c) Towels.
(d) Flip-flops.

5. One of the young women picks up a package of what before putting it back?
(a) Clam dip.
(b) Cookies.
(c) Tampons.
(d) Tea.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of whom do the girls ask a question?

2. How does the narrator describe the lights inside the A and P?

3. What kind of pattern does the floor at the A and P have?

4. In what location does the young woman who first catches the narrator's eye have "two crescents of white" (1)?

5. 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?

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. What does Sammy mean when he describes Stokesie "finding his voice" (9)?

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

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

6. What sorts of details does Updike use to portray the appearance of the store and why?

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

8. Who is the protagonist of the story "A and P"?

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

10. What is Stokesie's career goal?

(see the answer keys)

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