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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 many tries does it take for Marie's car to start on her last day of work?

2. What is one thing Marie never managed to purchase, which would have made her work easier?

3. Why does Marie collapse on the sidewalk in pain one day after work?

4. Why do the motel guests typically not complain about dirty windows?

5. What word is used to describe Marie's feelings of guilt about her affair with Amir after Naseem sells the motel?

Short Essay Questions

1. How are some of the women Marie worked with over the years described? How did Marie feel about these women?

2. When describing Marie's body aches and pains from her work, what are some indications of her social status?

3. How does the author describe the way Marie's work has damaged her hands and arms?

4. How much money does Marie earn in her final paycheck? How is this money received? How many weeks of work does her final pay cover? What happens when she gets to her car?

5. What does Marie say to Father James about her job in the section following the description of how her body has been impacted by her job? What does he say in response?

6. How will Marie and her husband support themselves financially in retirement?

7. Why does Marie want to work a full shift on her last day? What does she want to do for herself?

8. Who is Amir? What is Marie's relationship with Amir?

9. How does Marie learn where Evie lives and works? What does she do when she finds out?

10. What does Father James tell Marie about Amir and her relationship with him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining the ending of "Clean, Cleaner, Cleanest." How does the ending fit into the storyline? Do you think the ending is effective? What theme might the ending represent? What might the author have done differently?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay analyzing narrative voice in "Clean, Cleaner, Cleanest." Include thoughts on how the narrative voice of the story is effective in conveying the story’s themes.

(see the answer keys)

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