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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. How does Holden entertain himself in the bathroom?

2. What does Holden make while Ackley gets ready?

3. What does Holden think Mr. Spencer yelled at him as he shut the door?

4. How is Holden involved with the school's fencing team?

5. What does the elevator operator offer Holden?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Holden so upset when he discusses Stradlater's date?

3. Why do the girls say they have to leave the Lavender Room so abruptly? Why do they really leave?

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

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

6. Why does Holden say he was glad to meet the Navy guy even though he is not?

7. Why does Holden like writing about Allie's baseball mitt?

8. Why does Mrs. Morrow think her son is not a good mixer with other boys?

9. Why does Holden like that Jane puts her hand on the back of his neck?

10. What does Holden think of his siblings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the final chapter of The Catcher in the Rye. Is this a satisfying ending? Why or why not? What, if any, unanswered questions does the author leave the reader with? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Identify and define the elements of a story arc. Identify the major plot points in The Catcher in the Rye that coordinate with those elements.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the theme of innocence in The Catcher in the Rye. How does the author address the theme? How does the theme affect the events in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 573 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample