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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator says that from the front doors of the A and P, he can see how many banks?

2. Of whom do the girls ask a question?

3. What kind of pattern does the floor at the A and P have?

4. How old is the narrator?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. Discuss the way in which Sammy objectifies the three young women.

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

8. What are Sammy's feelings about Stokesie's career goal?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a critical essay about “A and P” while using the critical power theory lens of Marxist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the story's treatment of issues such as socioeconomic status, hierarchies, wealth, class, or any other issues related to Marxist theory that can be found in the short story.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Sammy’s fascination with the bodies of the three young women who enter the store in their bathing suits. Conduct an online inquiry that will allow you to understand the context of Updike’s possible messages more fully. Consider the fact that the story was first in 1961 as you conduct your research. Then combine your research with your analysis of the story and answer the prompt.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the interplay between the resolution of Updike’s story “A and P” and one of the story's main messages. How does Updike make connections between these elements and how does their juxtaposition help Updike get across one main message of the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,070 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample