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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was Mrs. Patimkin's connection to sports when she was younger?
(a) She ran in the Boston Marathon once.
(b) She was a great golfer at one time.
(c) Mrs. Patimkin had been the best tennis player in the state at one time.
(d) She played water polo in college.

2. What antic does Neil perform at the pool?
(a) Neil dives in and surfaces like a dolphin beside Brenda, sliding her legs on his.
(b) He hides Brenda's glasses.
(c) He does handstands on the diving board.
(d) He swims thirty laps without stopping.

3. How is Brenda dressed for dinner?
(a) Brenda wears a cocktail dress.
(b) Brenda has on jeans and one of Ron's shirts.
(c) Brenda wears shorts and white polo shirt.
(d) Brenda is dressed in designer slacks and blouse.

4. What invitation does Brenda extend to Neil?
(a) An invitation to a picnic.
(b) An invitation to dinner.
(c) An invitation to play tennis.
(d) An invitation to the opera.

5. Why does the boy not want to check out the Gauguin book after Neil promises to help him?
(a) He fears he might lose it and he cannot pay to replace it.
(b) He thinks it's too heavy to carry to his house.
(c) He doesn't want the other boys to see what he is reading.
(d) He fears it will get damaged in his house.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Neil see in the hall of the Patimkin house?

2. What do the twenty-three bottles of Jack Daniels suggest to Neil?

3. How does Neil avoid the issue of the boy wanting to check the Gauguin book out of the library?

4. What is the irony of the Patimkins' snobbery at Neil's living in Newark?

5. What member of Neil's family does Brenda remember?

Short Essay Questions

1. Besides his week at Brenda's house, what else does Neil have to look forward to?

2. How has the relationship developed between Neil and Brenda?

3. Describe the relationship between Neil and Brenda during the summer.

4. Describe the young African-American boy Neil encounters in front of the library.

5. What does the basement reveal about he Patimkin family?

6. How is Julie's character further defined in the play room that evening?

7. How does the reader know that Neil is restless and bored babysitting Julie?

8. How does Neil see Mr. Patimkin when he meets him at dinner?

9. Explain the social and economic difference between Brenda and Neil.

10. Discuss the competitive nature of Brenda.

(see the answer keys)

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