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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. Who is Mr. Spencer?

2. What does Pencey Prep serve for dinner on Saturdays?

3. What does Holden ask the cab driver about?

4. What religion does Ackley follow?

5. Who is D.B.?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Holden ask Ackley about joining a monastery?

2. Why does Holden stay at Ernie's even though “jerks and phonies” surround him?

3. Why does Holden feel bad about not telling Mrs. Morrow his real name?

4. Why does Ackley get on Holden's nerves?

5. Why does Holden get nervous when he talks to Stradlater in the bathroom?

6. Compare and contrast Ackley and Stradlater, according to Holden's descriptions.

7. What two reasons does Holden give for not talking about his early childhood?

8. Why does Holden keep watching the “perverts” he sees out his hotel window?

9. Why does Holden shout to the boys in his dorm as he leaves?

10. Why does Holden feel sad when he shakes Mr. Spencer's hand to say goodbye?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify and describe each of Holden's siblings. What role do his siblings play in the novel? What role does he play in their lives? What role does family play in Holden's life? How can you tell?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Holden's relationships with adults in The Catcher of the Rye. What adults does he respect? Why does he respect them? What adults does he not respect? Why does he not respect them?

Essay Topic 3

Define foreshadowing. Give at least two examples of foreshadowing in The Catcher in the Rye. Is the foreshadowing used in the novel effective? Why or why not?

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This section contains 570 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample