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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. What is the fourth word of the song Sammy has come to hear when he works the register?

2. What are the final two syllables of the nonsense word Sammy utters to Lengel?

3. Sammy says that nearby the altercation between Lengel and the young women, he can feel "everybody getting" (21) what?

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

5. Sammy describes the customers' actions in the check-out "chute" (30) using what verb?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What unique form of imagery does Updike create to depict Queenie's anger at Lengel's words?

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

4. In what way does Sammy react to Lengel's mention of policy?

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

6. How does the young woman dubbed "Queenie" (5) by Sammy react to Lengel's actions?

7. What clues does Sammy utilize in order to detect the class of the young woman he dubs "Queenie" (5)?

8. For what reason and in what manner does Lengel confront the three young women in the store?

9. How is repetition utilized within Paragraph 21?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Updike’s messages about guilt and responsibility within the story “A and P.” Focus on elements of the story such as Sammy’s family’s negative reaction to Sammy’s decision to quit his job at the A and P.

Essay Topic 2

Could “A and P” be classified as a coming-of-age story? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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