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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's face whom he calls "Queenie" (5)?
(a) Haughty.
(b) Smug.
(c) Cold.
(d) Prim.

2. In what location does the young woman who first catches the narrator's eye have "two crescents of white" (1)?
(a) Above each eye.
(b) Above her breasts.
(c) At the tops of the backs of her legs.
(d) Beneath each eye.

3. The narrator says that from the front doors of the A and P, he can see how many banks?
(a) 4.
(b) 1.
(c) 3.
(d) 2.

4. What does the narrator describe as the source of the bleached appearance of the hair of the young woman he calls "Queenie" (5)?
(a) Sun and wind.
(b) Peroxide.
(c) Sun and salt.
(d) Saltwater.

5. The narrator says that from the front doors of the A and P, he can see what kind of store?
(a) A tobacco store.
(b) A liquor store.
(c) A newspaper store.
(d) A pet store.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What street does the narrator name when depicting the "free-loaders" (10) in his town?

3. To what historical event does the narrator allude when he depicts the "cash-register-watcher" (1)?

4. The narrator describes the young women in the store as being "without" (2) what item?

5. The narrator's town is north of what American city?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Stokesie's family situation?

2. Cite and discuss a unique simile used by Updike within the story.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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