View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why do Neill and Brenda go to New York?

2. What happens at the end of Neil's week at the Patimkin house?

3. What does Brenda want to do for Neil?

4. What does Ron invite Neil to do?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What problem does Brenda admit to Neil?

4. What is it like when Neil and Brenda finally meet up in New York?

5. Why does Brenda get upset in the storage room?

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

7. Is there something shallow about the discussion of religion between Mrs. Patimkin and Neil? Explain.

8. What is making Mr. Patimkin sad about bringing Ron into the family business?

9. What is missing at the library now?

10. What is odd about Neil's and Brenda's love making after she gets the diaphragm?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How well do you think Roth depicts Mrs. Patimkin? Is she three dimensional in the book? Why is her first name never mentioned?

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper on whether you think Brenda was simply toying with Neil or whether she really was in love but could not face the problems their relationship would involve.

Essay Topic 3

Explain whether you agree that Ron's behavior indicates that he is immature and not ready to become a husband and father. Give examples from passages in the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 706 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample