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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. On what street is the place located at which Tom Benecke had spent "a dozen lunch hours and early evenings" (16)?
(a) Fifth Avenue.
(b) Third Avenue.
(c) Sixth Avenue.
(d) Fourth Avenue.

2. What level of success is Tom Benecke intent on pursuing within the grocery store field?
(a) To be a powerful man.
(b) To the very top.
(c) To be a very wealthy man.
(d) To own at least twenty stores.

3. What street does Tom Benecke see "stretched out for miles ahead" (28) when he finally looks down?
(a) Remington Avenue.
(b) Lexington Avenue.
(c) Jefferson Avenue.
(d) Knickerbocker Avenue.

4. Tom Benecke thinks to himself that if the yellow piece of paper does fall to the street, he will take what action?
(a) He will try to get someone's attention below.
(b) He will hurry to the elevator.
(c) He will race down the stairs.
(d) He will give up and begin his research again.

5. Once Tom Benecke finally makes physical contact with the yellow sheet, in what way is the action described?
(a) He has it between his teeth.
(b) The tip of his finger is touching it.
(c) His thumb grazes its corner.
(d) He has it by the corner.

Short Answer Questions

1. Immediately after Tom Benecke interacts with the window ledge in some way, he takes what action?

2. Before Tom Benecke pushes the door closed, he hears what sound?

3. What action does Clare Benecke take when she reaches the end of the hallway?

4. For what length of time does Tom Benecke actually believe that he is "going to abandon the yellow sheet" (17)?

5. When Clare appears "at the end of the hallway" (4), what is she wearing?

Short Essay Questions

1. Tom Benecke realizes at the beginning of the story that the feeling he is experiencing is not heat. What is it instead?

2. What types of information are written upon the yellow sheet of paper?

3. Discuss the use of the sound motif within the first section of the story.

4. Discuss details of the story suggesting that Tom Benecke knows the choice he is making to stay home is the wrong one?

5. In what way does the outside contrast with the inside throughout the story and for what purpose?

6. In what way does the physical description of the exterior of Tom Benecke's apartment dovetail with the theme of isolation?

7. How does Tom Benecke feel about the idea of abandoning the yellow sheet of paper at the beginning of the story?

8. For what reason does Tom Benecke feel that he needs to finish his work project quickly?

9. Discuss how Finney employs sensory details as a means to create suspense.

10. What event occurs that causes Tom Benecke to bang his head against the building wall, nearly leading to his death?

(see the answer keys)

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