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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. Sammy spouts a nonsense word that he attributes to which family member?

2. Lengel is said to give the young women in the store what kind of look?

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

4. What are the first two syllables of the nonsense word Sammy utters in response to Lengel's comment?

5. What fruit does the narrator use in a simile describing the quiet way in which Stokesie takes a particular action?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe an example of Updike's use of metaphor within the story.

3. How is repetition utilized within Paragraph 21?

4. In what way do food similes enter the story and for what purpose does Updike use them?

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

6. What details does Sammy provide about his boss Lengel?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Trace the characterization arc of Sammy’s character throughout the story. Discuss whether Sammy is a round or flat character and whether he is a static or dynamic character.

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?

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