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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 makes Johnny and Ponyboy realize they are not alone in the park?

2. Who wrote the poem that Ponyboy recites to Johnny?

3. What does Johnny think he and Ponyboy should do instead of hiding out in the church?

4. Why is Ponyboy embarrassed by Dally when they sit near the Soc girls?

5. When he awakes after passing out from the fire in Chapter 6, why does Ponyboy wonder if he and Johnny have been caught by the cops?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the major event that occurs in Chapter 4 and how is a turning point in the novel.

2. What news does Dally give Ponyboy and Johnny when he comes to see them at the church?

3. Describe the park that Johnny and Ponyboy go to in Chapter 4.

4. How does Ponyboy realize that Darry truly cares for him?

5. How does Dally approach the Soc girls at the drive-in?

6. What do Johnny and Ponyboy do in the vacant lot?

7. What is Ponyboy's living arrangement?

8. What happens when Dally tries to give the Soc girls a soda at the drive-in?

9. What two differences does Cherry point out between the greasers and the Socs?

10. Describe the fight between the greasers and the Socs that occurs when Ponyboy is walking home from the movies.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the relationships between the Curtis brothers. What is Ponyboy's relationship with Darry like? With Soda? How do these relationships change throughout the novel? What events change these relationships, and how?

Essay Topic 2

Explain how The Outsiders can be considered a "coming of age" story. How do the main characters mature?

Essay Topic 3

What message is implied at the end of the novel? Is the story intended to inspire hope? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 668 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample