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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 does Neil find in the basement?

2. What is the main topic of conversation when the family does speak?

3. What antic does Neil perform at the pool?

4. When does Neil call Brenda for the second time?

5. What was Mrs. Patimkin's connection to sports when she was younger?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Aunt Gladys show that she is somewhat isolated in her Newark Jewish community?

2. How is Julie's character further defined in the play room that evening?

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

4. Early in the story what gives Neil away as a consummate romantic?

5. Why is Neil not conscious of class distinctions?

6. What does Neil tell Brenda about his family?

7. Describe the relationship between Neil and Brenda during the summer.

8. Explain a commonality between Neil and the boy.

9. How does the reader know that Neil is restless and bored babysitting Julie?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Neil once says that living with Aunt Gladys and Uncle Max is worse than living with his parents. Write a few paragraphs explaining what he might have meant by that.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper about conspicuous consumerism as it relates to the Patimkin family and their motives for wanting to live in the large house in Short Hills.

Essay Topic 3

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.

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This section contains 647 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample