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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 the sound of one young woman's voice immediately takes him to what location?
(a) Heaven.
(b) Her living room.
(c) Hell.
(d) Back to reality.

2. The narrator states that only when his parents have people over for a very what kind of "affair" (14) do they serve alcoholic beverages?
(a) Fancy.
(b) Business.
(c) Special.
(d) Racy.

3. What is a name Sammy does NOT privately call the young women as he watches them walk?
(a) Frizzy.
(b) Queenie.
(c) Big Tall Goony-Goony.
(d) Plaid.

4. What had Lengel been doing in the parking lot before entering the store to confront the young women?
(a) Talking.
(b) Sweeping.
(c) Haggling.
(d) Smoking.

5. In what type of glasses do the narrator's parents serve alcoholic beverages at parties?
(a) Tiny.
(b) Tall.
(c) Skinny.
(d) Short.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. The narrator describes Lengel's movements by using what verb?

3. To what flavor of ice cream does Sammy refer when describing the breasts of the young woman he privately calls "Queenie" (5)?

4. What term does Lengel use when he address the young women in the store?

5. What color are the eyes of the young woman whom the narrator calls "Queenie" (5)?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. In what way does Updike use the animal motif within the customers' reaction to the scene involving Lengel and the young women?

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

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

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

9. How does Updike demonstrate Sammy's lack of experience with girls and women?

10. Of what crime does Sammy accuse Lengel when he quits?

(see the answer keys)

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