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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The narrator characterizes the "peculiar" (10) motion of the man with the shotgun by settling on what term?
(a) Rigidity.
(b) Languidity.
(c) Torpor.
(d) Calm.

2. What word is used to describe the weight of the man with the shotgun?
(a) Portly.
(b) Fat.
(c) Thin.
(d) Heavy.

3. In which direction does the man with the shotgun pass the shotgun when he gives it to the other bank robber?
(a) Over.
(b) Around.
(c) Down.
(d) Up.

4. When the man with the shotgun comes to the empty teller station, at whom does he look?
(a) At the bank manager.
(b) At the man with the pistol.
(c) At Anders.
(d) At the missing teller.

5. Immediately after Anders's evocation of a Biblical place, the woman in front of him takes what action?
(a) She turns her back on Anders.
(b) She sighs.
(c) She sucks in her cheeks.
(d) She shrugs.

Short Answer Questions

1. What gesture does the misplaced bank teller make before she answers the query about her "slot" (11)?

2. What term is used to describe the bags handed to the bank tellers?

3. How does the woman respond to Anders's sarcastic manner of speaking to her, according to the narrator?

4. In what position is the guard lying after taking a blow from the man with the shotgun?

5. When one of the women in front of Anders speaks to him, she is said to be "confident of his" (2) what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the man with the sawed-off shotgun do with his weapon when he needs both hands to complete a different task?

2. Name the violent actions taken by the man with the sawed-off shotgun.

3. How does Wolff use allusion within the story?

4. What is the first turn of phrase used by the man with the pistol that interests Anders and why?

5. How does the theme of social status or class come into play within the story?

6. Discuss a moment in the story that reveals who is in charge of the bank robbery.

7. What two-word name does the man with the pistol call Anders?

8. Anders refers to the conflict at the center of the story as what object? Why?

9. In what way is Anders shown to be hypocritical within the opening scene of the story?

10. Describe the man with the sawed-off shotgun.

(see the answer keys)

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