The Axe

• 1. The story is presented as a report from a manager to the company owner. What detail suggests the manager doubts the owner will read much of it? a) The report is very lengthy and detailed. b) The manager uses complex technical language. c) The manager mentions he doesn't expect the owner to read past the first few sentences. d) The manager includes irrelevant personal anecdotes.


  c
• 1. Why has the owner instructed the manager to fire four employees? a) They have all been performing poorly at work.b) The company is expanding and needs to hire new staff. c) The company is facing economic difficulties. d) The owner is simply trying to make the manager's job more difficult.


  c
• 1. What is the specific task the manager is given regarding W.S. Singlebury? a) To fire him directly and offer him severance pay.b) To find a way to promote him to a higher position.c) To persuade him to resign without compensation. d) To give him a chance to improve his performance before firing him.


  c
• 1. Based on the description, how would you characterize W.S. Singlebury? a) Arrogant and demandingb) Outgoing and sociablec) Elderly, mild, and conscientious d) Young, ambitious, and eager to climb the corporate ladder


  c
• 1. The story mentions a growing damp smell in the office after Singlebury is fired. How does this detail likely contribute to the story? a) It foreshadows a literal physical threat. b) It establishes a sense of realism in the office setting.c) It symbolizes the character's emotional turmoil. d) It introduces a lighthearted and humorous element.

  a/c
• 1. Why does the narrator stay late at the office on Monday? a) He has a lot of urgent work to finish.b) He wants to impress his boss with his dedication.c) He is trying to distract himself from his growing fear. d) He is hoping to run into Singlebury and apologize.


  c
• 1. What detail about Singlebury's appearance upon his return to the office suggests a violent act? a) His clothes are wrinkled and dirty.b) He looks angry and upset.c) His head sways from side to side in an unnatural way. d) He is carrying a large and heavy object.


  c
• 1. What is the most likely reason for Singlebury's return to the office? a) He wants to apply for his old job back. b)He seeks revenge on the manager for firing him. c) He has come to collect his personal belongings.d) He has come to offer the manager emotional support.


  b
• 1. What is the overall tone of the story? a) Uplifting and optimisticb) Lighthearted and humorousc) Bleak and suspenseful d) Romantic and sentimental

  c
• 1. The story explores the theme of: a) The importance of workplace efficiencyb) The rewards of hard work and dedicationc) The devastating consequences of corporate greed d) The power of friendship and loyalty


  c
• 1. What does the British slang "to give someone the axe" mean?A)Rewarding someone for their hard work and dedicationB) Firing someone from their jobC) Promoting someone to a higher positionD) Providing constructive feedback to improve performance

  b
• 1. During which decade in Britain were there high unemployment rates, strikes, and economic crises?A)1950sB) 1960sC) 1970sD) 1980s


  c
• 1. What characterized employer/employee relationships in Britain during the 1970s?A)Harmony and cooperationB) Mutual respect and understandingC) Strained relations and low trustD) Collaboration and innovation


  c
• 1. What does the phrase "to give someone the axe" imply about the recipient?A)They are being recognized for their exceptional performance.B) They are being provided with constructive feedback for improvement.C) They are being promoted to a higher position.D) They are being terminated from their job.


  d
• 1. How did the economic crisis of the 1970s impact employer/employee relationships?A)It strengthened trust and collaboration between employers and employees.B) It led to increased job security and stability.C) It exacerbated tensions and strained relations between employers and employees.D) It encouraged innovation and creativity in the workplace.

  c
• 1. How does the economic downturn impact the plot of the story? a) It leads to a celebration and promotion of new young talent. b) It forces the company to expand and hire more staff. c) It creates the need for layoffs, particularly affecting older employees without many options. d) It has no significant impact on the plot's development.


  c
• 1. Why does the narrator carry out the order to fire Singlebury, despite feeling guilty A)He is personally motivated by a dislike for Singlebury.b) He believes Singlebury is a bad employee who deserves to be fired.c) He feels the pressure to secure his own job in a difficult economic climate. d) He is following a company policy that rewards loyalty to senior employees.


  c
• 1. Based on the information provided, what is the overall mood of the story A)Uplifting and hopefulb) Lighthearted and humorousc) Desperate and degrading d) Romantic and sentimental

  c
• How does the economic situation specifically affect Mr. Singlebury's situation? A)He is well-positioned to take advantage of new opportunities offered by the changing market.b) He will likely find a new job quickly due to his experience.c) Losing his job at his age will be a financial and personal disaster for him. d) He is looking forward to a well-deserved retirement.


  c
• 1. The economic downturn contributes to the narrator's feelings of: A)Guilt and shameb) Envy and resentmentc) Pride and accomplishmentd) Gratitude and relief

  a
• 1. How does the dampness in the office contribute to the overall mood of the story? a) It creates a sense of cleanliness and efficiency. b) It adds to the story's atmosphere of frustration, decline, and unease. c) It provides a humorous contrast to the characters' serious situations.d) It has no significant impact on the story's mood.


  b
• 1. Singlebury suggests the damp smell is the smell of "disappointment." How does this link to the story's events? a) It celebrates the success and achievements of the characters. b) It highlights the sense of defeat and frustration many characters experience. c) It creates a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future.d) It has no real connection to the plot.

  b
• 1. As the story progresses, how does the dampness seem to change? a) It disappears entirely, symbolizing a positive turn of events.b) It intensifies and seems to cling to the narrator, representing his inner turmoil. c) It affects only certain characters, highlighting their differences.d) It remains constant throughout the story, with no symbolic significance.


  b
• 1. What does the "increasingly supernatural" quality of the dampness suggest about the story's tone? a) It creates a lighthearted and playful atmosphere.b) It reinforces the story's mounting sense of fear and unease. c) It introduces a hopeful and optimistic message.d) It has no bearing on the story's overall tone.

  b
• 1. How does the description of Singlebury's home differ from the description of the company owner's house? a) Singlebury's home is spacious and luxurious, while the owner's is cramped and basic. b) Singlebury's home is located in a central and trendy area, while the owner's is in a remote suburb. c) Singlebury's home is small, basic, and located far from amenities, while the owner's is large, luxurious, and centrally located. d) There are no significant differences in the descriptions of the two homes.

  c
• 1. What is the likely purpose of the author in contrasting these two settings? a) To showcase the narrator's interior design preferences.b) To highlight the company's commitment to providing affordable housing for its employees. c) To emphasize the vast economic and social gap between Singlebury and the owner. d) To create a sense of mystery about the owner's personal life.


  c
• 1. The contrast between the homes contributes to the story's portrayal of: a) The beauty and charm of London's suburbs.b) The efficiency and functionality of modern living spaces.c) The social and economic inequality within society. d) The narrator's growing appreciation for fine dining.


  c
• 1. How might the description of Singlebury's home influence the reader's perception of him? a) It suggests he is a wealthy and flamboyant individual.b) It portrays him as someone who prioritizes comfort over luxury.c) It evokes sympathy for his limited resources and simple lifestyle. d) It highlights his lack of social etiquette and taste.


  c
• 1. What does the owner's luxurious home suggest about his priorities? a) He values a modest and practical lifestyle.b) He enjoys the finer things in life and flaunts his wealth. c) He prioritizes the well-being of his employees.d) He is disconnected from the everyday struggles of his workers.


  b
• 1. Which event in the story introduces the narrator's internal conflict? a) He receives instructions to make redundancies.b) He actually fires the four employees. (Part of Rising Action)c) He feels guilty about his actions. (Rising Action)d) He sees Singlebury's ghost in the office building. (Climax)


  c
• 1. What is the main focus of the story's Exposition? a) Describing the office building in detail.b) Introducing the characters and the initial situation (redundancies). c) Revealing the narrator's feelings of guilt.d) Highlighting the narrator's difficult relationship with his boss.

  b
• How does the narrator's dinner with Singlebury contribute to the rising action? a)It provides a flashback to a happier time.b) It introduces a new character unrelated to the conflict.c) It reveals Singlebury's plan for revenge.d) It emphasizes the narrator's guilt and Singlebury's despair.


  d
• Which of the following best describes the overall structure of the story? a)A story with a clear beginning, middle, and satisfying end.b) A narrative that focuses heavily on exposition and flashbacks.c) A plot with a traditional rising action, climax, and falling action. (Not quite accurate due to the unresolved ending)d) A suspenseful story with rising tension leading to an unresolved ending.


  d
• 1. The story ends with the narrator trapped in his office. What is the effect of this unresolved ending? a) It provides a clear resolution to the conflict.b) It leaves the reader confused about the narrator's fate. c) It suggests a happy ending for the narrator and Singlebury.d) It disrupts the flow of the story without adding any suspense.


  b
• 1. What event in the story creates the central conflict for the narrator? a)The narrator receives instructions to make redundancies.b) The narrator experiences feelings of guilt.c) The narrator has dinner with a very uncomfortable Singlebury.d) The narrator sees Singlebury's ghost appear in the office building.

  a
• 1. How is Singlebury initially portrayed in the story? a) Outgoing and charismaticb) Conscientious, routine-oriented, and quiet. c) Lazy and unmotivatedd) Arrogant and demanding

  b
• 1. After being fired, the narrator realizes that Singlebury: a) Had been a source of constant trouble in the office.b) Had been a lazy employee who didn't contribute much.c) Had actually done a surprising amount of work. d) Had been planning to steal from the company.


  c
• 1. What detail about Singlebury suggests an unexpected side to his personality? a) His meticulous desk organizationb) His quiet and mild demeanorc) His belief that the office is haunted. d) His insistence that the narrator stay late for 


  c
• 1. What does Singlebury's statement "the mind is the blood" imply? a) He has a logical and analytical approach to problem-solving.b) He believes in the separation of mind and body. c) He might have some unconventional or mystical beliefs. d) He is simply making a nonsensical statement.


  c
• 1. How does the story develop Singlebury's character over time? a) It portrays him as a one-dimensional and unchanging figure.b) It reveals new layers to his personality, suggesting hidden depths. c) It undermines the positive qualities initially attributed to him.d) It focuses solely on his superstitious beliefs.

  b