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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. To what is the narrator referring when he discusses Stokesie's "fuselage" (8)?

2. What does the young woman the narrator calls "Queenie" (5) present for purchase?

3. What name does the narrator use before saying, "Hold me tight" (8) to Stokesie?

4. For how many years does the narrator say the woman he calls the "cash-register-watcher" (1) has been waiting for a cashier to make a mistake?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is the setting of the story "A and P"?

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

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

7. On what evidence does Sammy base his conclusion that one particular young woman is the leader?

8. What sorts of details does Updike use to portray the appearance of the store and why?

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

10. What is Stokesie's family situation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Updike’s story from an Existential perspective. What elements of life does it suggest hold the most meaning and why?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 983 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample