The Elevator

According to this line from the story, what does the elevator most likely symbolize in Sleator’s story?

• Fears or obstacles that must be overcome in life

• The aging process

• Older machines which must be replaced

• Life in an apartment instead of a single family home

Which of the following is NOT an example of a conflict in “The Elevator” by William Sleator?

• Martin versus his fears

• Martin’s father versus William Sleator

• Martin versus the fat lady

• Martin versus his father

What social norm does the lady violate according to the main character?

• She uses her hands instead of utensils when eating.

• Elevator etiquette: she does not face the elevator door and stares at Martin while on the elevator.

• The fat lady is never on time for work which greatly inconveniences her fellow employees.

• The antagonist constantly looks at her watch when you are talking to her as if she wants you to hurry.

What information do we learn in the story’s exposition?

• Martin’s father works from home.

• Martin has a fear of elevators.

• The identity of Terry Ullman.

• The description of Martin, the elevator, and the building.

Which statement best expresses the suspenseful tone of the selection?

• Maybe it was simply the dimensions of the contraption that bothered him, so small that it felt uncomfortably crowded even when there was only one other person in it.

• When the elevator stopped on his floor, she barely moved out of the way. 

• Luckily, on the unlit flight on which he fell was between sixteen and seventeen.

• She moved in quickly; he was too slow, too unsteady on his crutches to work his way past her in time.

The author included questions such as "What was she doing?" "Had she been waiting for him?" "Was she riding with him on purpose?" throughout the story to --

• explain why Martin is fearful of the lady on the elevator

• demonstate Martin's uneasiness about the elevator

• show the reader the lady on the elevator is acting strangely

• emphasize the growing suspense developed by Martin's inner fears

Which event incites the main problem in the selection?

• Martin's dad asks why he doesn't take the elevator

• Martin feels uncomfortable in the elevator

• The lady in the green coat gets on the elevator and stares at Martin

• Martin falls on the stairs between the fifteenth and sixteenth floor.

The reader can conclude when Martin arrives winded and gasping at the seventeenth floor, he is --

• so afraid of the elevator that he is willing to work hard to avoid riding on it

• out of shape and needs to exercise more

• ashamed of how his father will treat him if he rides the elevator

• almost as afraid of the stairs as he is of the elevator

About how long should an elevator pitch last?

• 30 seconds

• 2 minutes

• 30 minutes

• 5 minutes

What are some PROFESSIONAL reasons that you may deliver an elevator pitch? (check all that apply)

• Ask for a job

• Ask someone to invest in your company

• Ask someone to go on a fishing trip with you

• Ask someone to buy your product

• Ask someone on a romantic date