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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 do Neil and Brenda meet?

2. Who are the two main people in Neil's life outside of his family?

3. Why is Neil less class conscious than Brenda's family?

4. What shows Brenda's competitive nature?

5. When the family goes outside, what are Mr. Patimkin and his 10-year-old daughter Julie doing?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Tell how the relationship has developed between Neil and the boy who comes to look at the Gauguin book.

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

6. Describe the action between Neil and Brenda on the second day at the pool.

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

8. 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?

9. Discuss the competitive nature of Brenda.

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 790 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample