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

2. The narrator's town is "five miles from" (10) what?

3. The narrator describes the A and P's stock of records as "a waste of" (12) what?

4. The narrator states that the "free-loaders" (10) arrive when what object has broken yet again?

5. What adjective does the narrator use to describe Stokesie's "voice" as he asks Sammy, "Is it done" (9)?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. To what does Stokesie refer when he asks Sammy, "Is it done?" (9)?

5. What is Stokesie's career goal?

6. Provide evidence for the conclusion that Sammy uses diminutive terms indiscriminate of his target's gender.

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

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

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

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

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?

Essay Topic 2

Write a critical essay about “A and P” while using the critical power theory lens of feminist theory. Use textual evidence to back up your strong, specific claim regarding the story's treatment of gender roles, the objectification of women, female empowerment, misogyny's role within society, or any other issues related to feminist theory that can be found in the novel.

Essay Topic 3

What is Updike’s message concerning the link between integrity and suffering?

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