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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 says that he can feel in the silence that "everybody is getting" (20) what?
(a) Nervous.
(b) Angry.
(c) Interested.
(d) Impatient.

2. When the narrator imagines the home of the young woman he calls "Queenie" (5), what are the men at the party wearing?
(a) Cravats.
(b) Bolo ties.
(c) Neckties.
(d) Bowties.

3. What adjective does the narrator use to describe the speech of the young woman to whom he refers as "Queenie" (5)?
(a) Tony.
(b) Slow.
(c) Rapid.
(d) Affected.

4. Who asks Sammy if he has rung up the purchase of the three young women?
(a) McMahon.
(b) Stokesie.
(c) No one.
(d) Lengel.

5. When the narrator imagines the home of the young woman he calls "Queenie" (5), what are the women at the party wearing?
(a) Hot pants.
(b) Gowns.
(c) Miniskirts.
(d) Sandals.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Sammy do with the object purchased by the young woman he privately calls "Queenie" (5)?

2. What word does the narrator use to describe the young woman wearing the green plaid bathing suit?

3. Whom does the young woman referred to as "Queenie" (5) name as the person who had asked her to visit the grocery store?

4. What is the second word of the song Sammy has come to hear when he works the register?

5. Sammy describes the customers' actions in the check-out "chute" (30) using what verb?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the theme of family bonds depicted within Sammy's reply to Lengel's claim about the harm inflicted by the young women?

2. In what way do the themes of guilt and responsibility enter the narrative?

3. Discuss a possible reason for Lengel's request for Sammy to repeat his words "I quit" (22).

4. Describe Updike's use of foreshadowing within the story "A and P".

5. In what way do food similes enter the story and for what purpose does Updike use them?

6. For what reason and in what manner does Lengel confront the three young women in the store?

7. What type of home life does Sammy imagine for the young woman he dubs "Queenie" (5)?

8. What is Lengel's reply to Sammy's accusation?

9. Discuss the socioeconomic status from which Sammy's family stems.

10. How does the young woman dubbed "Queenie" (5) by Sammy react to Lengel's actions?

(see the answer keys)

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