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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 is in a letter from Brenda's father?

2. What complaint does Mr. Patimkin make to Neil?

3. How do Brenda and Neil begin to talk about their relationship?

4. What is Mrs. Patimkin doing while she is in the kitchen with Carlotta and Neil?

5. What does Brenda bring along the next time they go to the track?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does Neil see Harriet as a perfect match for Ron?

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

6. What is the underlying reason Harriet and Brenda go shopping in New York?

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

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

9. What is missing at the library now?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the time setting of GOOD-BYE COLUMBUS it is the 1950s when unmarried pregnant girls were pariahs but the boys involved were overlooked as boys just being boys. Write a paper on how you think the story of Neil and Brenda would be different today.

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

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 641 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample