View a FREE sample

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. Why did one of Marie's former coworkers go to prison for four years?

3. What did one of the patrons who had been staying in Room 144 do outside the motel earlier?

4. What is the main character's religion in "Clean, Cleaner, Cleanest"?

5. What is the one thing Marie dislikes cleaning most in rooms?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Who is Olga? Why did she leave the motel?

10. What are some of the things Marie has grown accustomed to seeing and having to clean in her line of work?

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 about Marie discussing her goals and motives. Does she achieve her motive? Does she share similar goals and motives with other characters? Do her goals clash with other characters? How do the characters goals and motives affect their interaction with each other?

Essay Topic 3

Why do you think Sherman Alexie wrote "Clean, Cleaner, Cleanest"? Write an essay explaining what you think the author wanted his readers to understand and feel after reading the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 836 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample