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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. When Barbara is paired up with Carlie on her first shift, Carlie is angry they have 19 _________ to swab down in just one shift.

2. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, in 1998, the hourly wage necessary to afford a one bedroom apartment was _________.

3. Barbara begins to realize that when she is a maid, she is not ____________ to be a maid. She really is a maid.

4. What does Jerry's restaurant close off to employees since they don't want other employees lingering there during breaks?

5. The businesses place ads in the paper so they can always have a pool of __________ from which to hire at any time.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Barbara want to take on the assignment she actually suggested be done?

2. What does Barbara feel she is compelled to do with the patrons at Hearthside, where she works as a waitress?

3. What statement does the author make which leads to her getting the assignment to write this book?

4. What is Barbara's fear about working in the area where she currently lives, Key West?

5. What does Barbara think, at the start of the experiment, will be the biggest challenge during this assignment?

6. What will Barbara drive when she is a part of this experiment in working for minimum wage?

7. What does the bad tempered cook like to do sometimes back in the kitchen, according to Barbara?

8. Describe the first apartment that Barbara finds when she is out looking for her first new 'home' for the assignment.

9. Why doesn't Barbara think the physical exertion of her new job should be bothering her so much?

10. How much does Barbara think she will have to make in order to pay her rent and for food during her stay in Florida?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While at times it seems that coworkers band together to help each other out, at other times, they treat each other as though they were unaware of the other's existence.

Part 1: Why do you think coworkers band together at some points of a minimum wage job?

Part 2: Why do you think coworkers can also turn their backs on their coworkers so easily?

Part 3: Do you think the management tries to influence the bonds between coworkers? If so, why? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 2

The management styles described in the book are commonplace for those who have already had minimum wage jobs, it seems.

Part 1: Why do you think managers in the book feel they need to be as demanding as they are?

Part 2: Do you think the managers are consciously trying to manipulate their workers? Why or why not?

Part 3: Do you think it's possible to be a fair and balanced manager when you are managing minimum wage workers? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

When Barbara goes back and tells her coworkers what she was doing and who she is, the coworkers don't seem to have a reaction.

Part 1: Why do you think Barbara's coworkers didn't really notice Barbara as anyone different or special?

Part 2: Why do you think Barbara expected to be seen as different in some way?

Part 3: Were you surprised that the other coworkers didn't have a bigger reaction? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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