View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When Neil wants to phone Brenda in Short Hills, New Jersey, where does he find the Short Hills phone directory?
(a) Out in the garage.
(b) Under a laundry basket.
(c) Holding up Anut Gladys' dresser.
(d) At the next door neighbor's house.

2. What does Neil find in the basement?
(a) A storage room.
(b) A playroom and a bar.
(c) A ping pong table with a broken leg.
(d) A refrigerator full of beer.

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

4. What does the head librarian tell Neil just before he leaves on vacation?
(a) He says that if Neil goes now he will not have a job when he returns.
(b) He tells Neil that he must get Patimkin to make a donation to the library.
(c) The head librarian tells Neil that after his vacation he will become reference librarian and receive a small raise.
(d) He tells Neil that he is aiming too high and will get hurt.

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

6. What does Neil do from his desk on the main floor?
(a) He watches teenage girls walk up the wide flight of stairs to the main reading room.
(b) He falls asleep because he was up so late last night.
(c) He is half-heartedly doing some filing.
(d) He keeps staring at the phone wanting to call Brenda.

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

8. How often is Neil seeing Brenda now?
(a) Every Wednesday evening.
(b) Every evening.
(c) Twice a week.
(d) Every weekend.

9. Why is Neil less class conscious than Brenda's family?
(a) Neil's family is politically important.
(b) He is well traveled and exposed to many types of people at his job.
(c) Neil was taught to respect people from the all classes.
(d) Neil is secure in his own superiority.

10. What are some of the things they do together that summer?
(a) Go to Coney Island, drive to Atlantic City, visit Brenda's relatives.
(b) Play ping pong, visit museums, take long walks in Central Park.
(c) Drive into the mountains, go out to eat, watch Ron play basketball.
(d) Go to motels, see plays in New York, read books.

11. What impresses Aunt Gladys about Neil's description of the Patimkin house?
(a) That it is in Newark.
(b) That it has a narrow driveway.
(c) That it is over their store.
(d) That it has so many rooms.

12. What is the main difference between Neil and Brenda?
(a) Neil is not Jewish but Brenda is.
(b) Neil is well educated but Brenda is not.
(c) Both are Jewish but she is from the upper class.
(d) Neil is much older than Brenda.

13. How does Neil evaluate Mr. Patimkin's intelligence?
(a) He is a near genius.
(b) He is not too smart.
(c) He is just average.
(d) He is just a shade above stupid.

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

15. Why does Aunt Gladys want Neil to leave the Patimkin's telephone number?
(a) She wants Neil to remember where he comes from.
(b) She can't really believe that Jewish families live in Short Hills.
(c) She wants to keep tabs on Neil.
(d) She is afraid she will get sick and have to go to the hospital.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Neil react to Brenda's invitation to spend a week at her house?

2. When Neill finally stops at Brenda's house, where does he find her?

3. What disruption takes place when Ron needs to leave?

4. Who is playing tennis with Brenda when Neill walks up?

5. Where are the Patimkin's going while Neil babysits?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 890 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample