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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. In a letter, when does Brenda say she will be returning from school?

2. What happens with Brenda's father at the reception?

3. When Brenda is modeling her bridesmaid dress, what does Harriet say to her?

4. What does Brenda tell Neill when he finishes his run?

5. What happens to Neil inside the church?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Neil get his hopes up only to be dashed again?

2. What is the somber occasion between Neil and Brenda the day after the wedding?

3. What does Brenda show Neil behind a door in his room he thought was a closet?

4. What is foreshadowed while Neil is at he house alone while the Patimkins go to the airport for Harriet?

5. What are Aunt Gladys' two main concerns when Neil calls to say his vacation is extended to Labor Day?

6. What problem does Brenda admit to Neil?

7. How does Brenda suggest she make an athlete out of Neil?

8. What turns out to be the rush to get Ron married to Harriet?

9. What is strange about Mr. Patimkin's behavior at the wedding reception?

10. How does Brenda express her contempt for Harriet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a belief that people say what they really think when they are drunk. It is possible that drunk, Mr. Patimkin could accept Neil because he also came from the same Newark background. But sober, he had to agree with his wife that Neil was beneath Brenda. Write a paper on whether you agree that people are more truthful under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay that depicts Brenda as a drama queen who comes to the hotel in New York with a carefully worked out script for breaking off with Neil. The scene will contain props to make her story more believable such as the letters from her parents and the fake wedding band.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 752 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample