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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. Why does Brenda chastise Neil after he returns home and calls her?

2. What comment does Neil make to Brenda about her mother.

3. What Characteristic of Mrs. Patimkin gives evidence of her more humble beginnings?

4. Where are the Patimkin's going while Neil babysits?

5. How does Neil avoid the issue of the boy wanting to check the Gauguin book out of the library?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Besides his week at Brenda's house, what else does Neil have to look forward to?

5. Describe the young African-American boy Neil encounters in front of the library.

6. 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?

7. Discuss the competitive nature of Brenda.

8. Explain a commonality between Neil and the boy.

9. Explain the prejudice of the head librarian against the boy.

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

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 a Jewish wedding ceremony. For those who are not Jewish, there is plenty of material to research. Write specifically about the symbolism that takes place during the ceremony.

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper pointing out the similarities and differences between Mrs. Patimkin and Aunt Gladys. Specifically, show how their attitudes are similar though from a different point on the social scale.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 777 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample