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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 are some of the things they do together that summer?

2. What shows Brenda's independence at the Country Club pool?

3. What does Neil see in the hall of the Patimkin house?

4. What is Neil's impression of Brenda as she plays tennis?

5. What is the small boy who was outside growling at the lions asking for when he says he wants to see heart books?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Mrs. Patimkin's athletic involvement?

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

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

5. Describe Brenda's neighborhood in Short Hills.

6. Describe Neil's family in Newark.

7. What does Neil tell Brenda about his family?

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. What is learned about Mrs. Patimkin from the conversation Neil and Brenda have outside under a tree?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Locate symbolism in the book and explain the examples you choose. For example, what is the symbolism of the young boy growling at the lion statues in front of the library? Find and explain at least two others.

(see the answer keys)

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