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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. What are some of the things they do together that summer?

2. What was Neil's major in Rutgers?

3. What request does Brenda make to her father?

4. When Neil says the Patimkins do not live over their store, what does Aunt Gladys say?

5. What is the main difference between Neil and Brenda?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the reader get introduced to ten-year-old Julie Patimkin?

2. Relate what happens when Neil finds a refrigerator in the other part of the basement.

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

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

5. What is Mrs. Patimkin's athletic involvement?

6. What is learned about Mrs. Patimkin from the conversation Neil and Brenda have outside under a tree?

7. Contrast Aunt Gladys and Mrs. Patimkin from the conversation Gladys and Neil have about the Patimkin house.

8. How does Neil feel sitting at the table with the Patimkin family?

9. Early in the story what gives Neil away as a consummate romantic?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A tennis player who became famous about the time Mrs. Patimkin was a state champion was a woman who came to be called Gorgeous Gussie Moran. Look up information on her and write a few paragraphs on her impact on women's tennis and what you think Mrs. Patimkin might have thought of her.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper about how you feel about class consciousness. Express whether you think it still exists today. Be specific with your reasons and give examples.

Essay Topic 3

Locate symbolism in the book and explain the examples you choose. For example, what is the symbolism of the young boy growling at the lion statues in front of the library? Find and explain at least two others.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 767 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample