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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. How long does it take Marie to clean the first, tidy room she cleans in the story?

2. Who is the author of "Clean, Cleaner, Cleanest"?

3. What phrase does Marie use to describe her work, which Father James says can describe people also?

4. What did Marie once see while she was cleaning a room that was supposed to be vacant?

5. What occurred in the motel 5 times while Marie worked there?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the tragic things that had happened in the motel during Marie's time working there?

2. What are some things that Marie's coworkers had done to her during her time working at the motel?

3. What "self-defense behavior" (1) does Marie enact before entering a room and why?

4. Why did Marie run from a room laughing after seeing a guest when she though the room was vacant? How did Evie react when Marie told her?

5. Who is Christine? How does Marie feel about her life when they run into each other at a mall?

6. What is meant by "the illusion of clean" (3) in regards to Marie's work?

7. Who is the main character of "Clean, Cleaner, Cleanest"? Where is her occupation? How long has she been there?

8. Why did Marie convince the former motel owner to put wooden platforms under the motel room beds?

9. What state is Room 213, the first room Marie cleans in the story? What is in it that she dislikes?

10. Why did Evie and Marie lose touch? What was the last correspondence the two had?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay analyzing the symbolic significance Marie's religion and relationship with Father James has on the story. Why is this important and how does it develop the themes of the story? Use examples from the text to support your viewpoint.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay analyzing Alexie's language style and word choice in "Clean, Cleaner, Cleanest." What are some words that stand out to you and why? What words are repeated? What words are most impactful? Explain your answers.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing Alexie's commentary on the plight of the blue collar worker in "Clean, Cleaner, Cleanest." How is this theme important to the story? How does it affect the narrative? Use textual evidence to explain your analysis.

(see the answer keys)

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