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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. Sammy says that nearby the altercation between Lengel and the young women, he can feel "everybody getting" (21) what?
(a) Impatient.
(b) Nervous.
(c) Stoic.
(d) Grumpy.

2. Lengel is said to give the young women in the store what kind of look?
(a) A dagger-like gaze.
(b) A gaze.
(c) A glare.
(d) A stare.

3. The narrator states that what "the others want is" (19) what?
(a) Juvenile delinquency.
(b) Freedom.
(c) A grant.
(d) Full jails.

4. For what reason does Stokesie deliberately and quietly take a particular action?
(a) He feels self-conscious around young women.
(b) He wants to hear what is going on.
(c) He does not want to make his boss angry.
(d) He does not want to make Sammy angry.

5. What are the final two syllables of the nonsense word Sammy utters to Lengel?
(a) Da-dee.
(b) De-doo.
(c) Dee-dee.
(d) Doo-da.

Short Answer Questions

1. What action does the narrator take when Lengel repeats a particular word to the young women?

2. In what way does Sammy uncrease the bill handed to him by the young woman he privately calls "Queenie" (5)?

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

4. The narrator at first thinks that one of the young women is blushing, but then thinks that she may be red for what other reason?

5. In what way does Sammy describe the change he provides to the young woman he calls "Queenie" (5)?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How does Updike show the childlike and whimsical nature of Sammy's personality in the story?

6. Why does Sammy use haste when saying "I quit" (22) the first time?

7. Which comment of Lengel's causes the young woman dubbed "Queenie" (5) to get angry rather than embarrassed?

8. What is ironic about Sammy's claim that Lengel is the most nervous person involved?

9. What is the policy cited by Lengel when he tells the young women they are in violation?

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

(see the answer keys)

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