Mr. Wrenn is Lonely

How do Mr. Wrenn's actions contribute to the development of the theme?

• Mr. Wrenn's dislike of travel makes him nervous about meeting new people.

• Mr. Wrenn's love of travel and adventure helps him to imagine a more exciting life.

• Mr. Wrenn's dislike of the ticket taker causes him to miss the opportunity for a great experience

• Mr. Wrenn's love of socializing is more important than travel.

What can be inferred from paragraph 5?

• The ticket taker is preoccupied; therefore, he neglects to present his normal smile.

• The ticket taker is angry with Mr. Wrenn, therefore, he refuses to present his normal smile.

• Mr. Wrenn is angry with the tickt taker; therefore, he refuses to acknowledge his smile.

• Mr. Wrenn is preoccupied; therefore, he fails to notice the ticket taker.

What do Mr. Wrenn’s thoughts in paragraph 6 reveal about his view of the ticket taker?

• Mr. Wrenn views himself as inferior to the ticket taker.

• Mr. Wrenn views himself as superior to the ticket taker.

• Mr. Wrenn views the ticket taker as an enemy.

• Mr. Wrenn views the ticket taker as a close friend.

Which quote reveals Mr. Wrenn’s timid nature?

• “At thirty-four, Mr. Wrenn was the sales entry clerk of the Souvenir Company.”

• “He was always bending over bills and columns of figures at a desk behind the stockroom.”

• “Mr. Wrenn was really seeing, not cowpunchers and sagebrush, but himself, defying the office manager’s meanness and revolting against the ticketman’s rudeness.”

• “He shook his head with the defiance of a cornered mouse, fussed with his mustache, and regarded the moving pictures gloomily.”

How does the perspective of Mr. Wrenn at the movie theater create irony in the selection?

• Mr. Wrenn imagines that he is traveling on an adventure with the ticket taker.

• Mr. Wrenn imagines that he is traveling while paying for his ticket at the movie theater.

• Mr. Wrenn believes the ticket taker is rude, but the ticket taker is unaware that he has hurt Mr. Wrenn’s feelings.

• Mr. Wrenn believes the ticket taker is rude, and the ticket taker knowingly hurts Mr. Wrenn’s feelings. 

What does the author mean by “connoisseur of travel-pictures” in paragraph 8?

• a person who lacks interest in movies about other places

• a person who is enthusiastic about traveling to see movies

• a person who lacks interest in traveling to see movies

• a person who is enthusiastic about movies filmed in other areas

How do the different perspectives of the ticket taker and Mr. Wrenn affect the story? 

• The ticket taker’s friendliness to the unfriendly Mr. Wrenn creates a tone of confusion.

• The ticket taker’s enjoyment of movies and Mr. Wrenn’s indifference to them creates a tone of disappointment. 

• The ticket taker's commitment to his job compared to Mr. Wrenn's laziness creates a tone of unfairness and resentment. 

• The ticket taker’s indifference to Mr. Wrenn’s need for attention creates a tone of isolation.

Which statement provides an objective summary of the selection? 

• A lonely man rents an apartment from a lady he views as a good friend. Although he likes where he lives, he longs for a better job.

• A lonely man feels unappreciated at his job. He seeks an opportunity to advance his career by relocating to a different area.

• A lonely man relies too much on a false sense of friendship. He wishes for a more fulfilling life to help him forget about his troubles.

• A lonely man has a ticket taker as his one true friend. He has dreams of visiting faraway places with this friend.