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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Brenda ask about his cousin, Doris?
(a) What sorority she is a member of.
(b) If she has a fiance.
(c) What she looks like.
(d) Where she is attending school.

2. What is the irony of the Patimkins' snobbery at Neil's living in Newark?
(a) Mrs. Patimkin refuses to admit she was born there.
(b) Mr. Patimkin is a large donor to the library where Neil works.
(c) They used to live in Newark before Mr. Patimkin became wealthy.
(d) They also have a house in Newark.

3. While Neil and the boy are looking at the art book, what is Neil seeing?
(a) That discrimination is a bad thing.
(b) That his job is dull.
(c) Brenda in a Gauguin setting.
(d) How the boy is really interested in art.

4. What biased reaction does the head librarian have about the boy's wanting to look at art?
(a) That he either wants to steal the books or to look at nude pictures and touch himself inappropriately.
(b) That the boy is sneaking around to find where the money is.
(c) That an African-American boy could not possibly have an interest in fine art.
(d) That the boy is uneducated and has no business in a library.

5. How does Ron show off his athletic ability?
(a) He does trick dives off the high board.
(b) He does pushups and situps on the side of the pool.
(c) He organizes a game of water polo.
(d) He repeatedly swims the length of the pool.

6. What activity of Mr. Patimkin often interferes with Neil's and Brenda's love making?
(a) His irregular schedule at the store in Newark.
(b) His late night sports games on TV.
(c) His frequent visitors to his game room.
(d) His habit of getting up in the middle of the night for a drink.

7. When Neil finds the boy later, what is he doing?
(a) Sleeping under a library table.
(b) Crying because the head librarian said he could not see the books.
(c) Sitting on the floor looking at a book of Gauguin paintings.
(d) Trying to reach a large book on the top shelf.

8. Why is Neil going to the Patimkin's house that evening?
(a) He is going to park down the street and follow Brenda when she leaves the house.
(b) They have asked him to babysit Julie while they all go out.
(c) He is going with them to the opera.
(d) He is going to talk with Mr. Patimkin about working in his store.

9. What was Neil's major in Rutgers?
(a) Library science.
(b) Architecture.
(c) Psychology.
(d) Philosophy.

10. How is dinner different at the Patimkin's house from the dinner at Aunt Gladys' house?
(a) The Patimkins all dress for dinner.
(b) The Patimkins order in the dinner.
(c) Aunt Gladys' dinner is more formal.
(d) The dinner is served by the maid, Carlotta.

11. How has Mrs. Patimkin reinvented herself?
(a) She has gone from former debutante to simple housewife.
(b) She has never forgotten her humble beginnings and remains simple and kind.
(c) Her identity is based on her children's education.
(d) Her identity is derived directly from her husband's wealth and upwards mobility and from being Brenda's mother.

12. What shows Neil's eagerness to see Brenda?
(a) He reads up on the lives of the rich and famous.
(b) He changes his clothes seven times.
(c) He keeps looking at his watch.
(d) He arrives early in Short Hills.

13. What does Aunt Gladys say she and Max were able to do because they lived over their store?
(a) Invest in the stock market.
(b) Get to work on time.
(c) Put Neil's cousin Susan through college.
(d) Be their own security guards.

14. How does Neil avoid the issue of the boy wanting to check the Gauguin book out of the library?
(a) He says it is on hold and he can only look at it in the library.
(b) He says it is in need of repair and too fragile to take out.
(c) He says the boy needs to have his mother get a library card first.
(d) He says it is a reference book only and cannot be taken out.

15. What is a typical dinner at Aunt Gladys' house?
(a) Matzos soup, leg of lamb, and mixed vegetables.
(b) Kosher chicken, tossed salad, and dessert.
(c) Pot roast, gravy, boiled potatoes, peas and carrots, and rye bread.
(d) Bagels, cream cheese, and lox.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Brenda change the subject and get Neil to stop playing?

2. What information does Neil get from Julie?

3. What does Neil notice about Mr. Patimkin?

4. When Neil does not answer when Brenda asks if he loves her, what does Brenda say?

5. What invitation does Brenda extend to Neil?

(see the answer keys)

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