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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. Barbara notes that Wal-Mart is a __________ system and when one is working there, one forgets there is an outside world.

2. Despite the miraculous vacuum cleaner, Lori and Pauline's __________ are ruined and wrecked.

3. _______ used in the bathroom are also going to be used in the kitchen, according to the instruction of The Maids.

4. Barbara thinks the fact she is __________ will help her since she will not stand out from others.

5. The Maids say the work they do will be easy because cleaning is in our __________, notes Barbara.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what 'time theft' is according to Wal-Mart and its slick produced videos that the author watches during orientation.

2. What are the workers in Portland, Maine expected to do as the wages seem to be falling between $6 and $7 an hour?

3. What is the rate of pay that the Merry Maids claims to offer to those who work for them?

4. What does Barbara do as the focus of her job at Wal-Mart, as it becomes clearer on the first shift?

5. What are the titles that Wal-Mart wants its employees to think of themselves as?

6. When Barbara goes back to Wal-Mart in order to fill out a new test, what happens when she gets a few wrong?

7. Why so the Maids think that the job they are offering is easy for someone to learn and to do?

8. What does the unattractive young cook at the elder care facility reveal to Barbara as they are out on a smoke break?

9. What does Barbara decide about the entire hiring process after noticing she didn't even ask about salary at Menards?

10. What does the long employment test at a Wal-Mart job fair seem to be trying to do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While it might be no surprise that Wal-Mart doesn't want to have labor unions in their store, it's more surprising that workers aren't more motivated to get involved

Part 1: Why do you think Wal-Mart doesn't want to have labor unions and organizations in their stores?

Part 2: Why do you think employees at Wal-Mart are scared to begin talks for labor union support in their stores?

Part 3: Is the risk of losing one's job worth it in order to get a labor organization in a store? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Barbara seems to be a good person, someone who looks out for others and even stands up for them when they are being taken advantage of.

Part 1: Do you think Barbara is a good person? Why or why not?

Part 2: Do you think Barbara would have stood up for Holly, for example, if she had actually had to rely on her job for money?

Part 3: How do you think Barbara's assignments affected the way she interacted with the other workers? Or didn't it?

(see the answer keys)

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