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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How has Mrs. Patimkin reinvented herself?

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

3. What request does Brenda make to her father?

4. What does Neil think that shows he is infatuated with Brenda?

5. Why does the boy not want to check out the Gauguin book after Neil promises to help him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the image the reader gets of Ron as he joins Neil and Brenda at the pool?

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

3. What evidence is there that Brenda is driven by appearances?

4. What is a noticeable difference between dinner at the Patimkins' house and dinner in the Klugman house?

5. Discuss the competitive nature of Brenda.

6. Since they met that day at the Country Club, has Brenda forgotten the young man she asked to hold her glasses while she dived into the pool?

7. Describe Brenda's neighborhood in Short Hills.

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

9. What does Neil tell Brenda about his family?

10. Explain the prejudice of the head librarian against the boy.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a paper about conspicuous consumerism as it relates to the Patimkin family and their motives for wanting to live in the large house in Short Hills.

Essay Topic 2

Does Philip Roth imply that Brenda was just like Julie when she was that age? Give specific reasons for your opinion from Brenda's behavior as a young woman.

Essay Topic 3

In GOOD-BYE COLUMBUS the question of the diaphragm had to do with unwanted pregnancies. Today there are additional concerns regarding protection. Write your opinion of how different the attitudes of Neil and Brenda might be today.

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