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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. The narrator describes the young woman to whom he refers as "Queenie" (5) as being "more than" (3) what?
(a) Enough.
(b) Pretty.
(c) Out of his league.
(d) His type.

2. In what month is the narrator's birthday?
(a) December.
(b) June.
(c) September.
(d) April.

3. What is NOT a piece of evidence the narrator cites when he hypothesizes that one of the young women has just bought a new swimsuit?
(a) The seams on the bra are still sharp.
(b) It is still bright green.
(c) He can see tan lines above her towel.
(d) Her stomach is still pale.

4. To what is the narrator referring when he discusses Stokesie's "fuselage" (8)?
(a) Education.
(b) Children.
(c) Sex.
(d) Career.

5. The young woman on whom the narrator first focuses is wearing a green what?
(a) Towel.
(b) Bathing suit.
(c) Visor.
(d) Dress.

Short Answer Questions

1. How old is the woman who takes the narrator to task for ringing up her crackers twice, according to the narrator?

2. At which "check-out slot" (1) is the narrator working throughout the story?

3. How old is the narrator?

4. How many young women walk into the grocery store at the start of the story?

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. How is the motif of sexuality included within the story?

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

3. What simile does Sammy use to describe the layout of the grocery store?

4. What is Stokesie's family situation?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What is Stokesie's career goal?

(see the answer keys)

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