Reading Comprehension Quiz

Barbara Ehrenreich, “Serving in Florida”

Read “Serving in Florida” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question Why does Ehrenreich start with descriptions in the first paragraph?

Question Ehrenreich describes the cooks as a “multinational mélange.” A mélange is a mixture of things. Why label the cooks in this way?

Question Ehrenreich starts out trying to work two different jobs: Jerry’s and Hearthside. She ultimately quits, but she imparts to the reader the side story of Gail. What function does this side story serve?

Question In paragraph 9, Ehrenreich describes an instance when she was given constructive criticism regarding her efficiency. She accompanies this description with a footnote regarding industry proficiency and the rise in stress level of workers. What are readers meant to infer?

Question In paragraph 10, Ehrenreich generalizes types of customers who are unpleasant for servers, but in paragraph 11, she spends time describing different servers she has worked with. What effect does individualizing the servers and generalizing the customers have on the reader?

Question Reporters are supposed to stay neutral toward their subjects, only reporting the facts to the reader without bias. In paragraph 13, Ehrenreich is caught teaching English to George, and she is punished for it by having to wrap extra silverware and make four gallons of blue-cheese dressing. At the end of the paragraph, she writes, “May you grow old in the place, B.J., is the curse I beam out at her when I am finally permitted to leave.” Why does Ehrenreich allow her personal opinion in here?

Question Ehrenreich moves closer to her job and describes the costs in paragraphs 14 and 15. Why does she detail not only the different costs, but also her tiny trailer?

Question In paragraph 17, Ehrenreich tells of her response after being told that George had been caught stealing from the restaurant. She writes, “The mystery to me is that there’s not much worth stealing in the dry-storage room, at least not in any fenceable quantity: ‘Is Gyorgi here, and am having 200–maybe 250–catsup packets. What do you say?’” Why does she use this affected way of describing George’s speech?