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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 wakes Holden?

2. What does Phoebe give Holden?

3. What terrible thing happens as Holden gets to the park?

4. What does Holden say about money?

5. What do Holden and Phoebe do when he goes back to D.B.'s room?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did it bother Holden that the boys in his Oral Expression class yelled “Digression!” during speeches?

2. Why does it make Holden sad when Phoebe asks why he got kicked out of Pencey?

3. Why does Holden feel bad about blowing smoke in the nuns' faces?

4. Why does Holden almost wish his parents caught him sneaking out of the apartment?

5. Why does Holden feel better when he is looking around D.B.'s room?

6. Why does Holden decide that he should not feel sorry for girls who marry bores?

7. Why does Holden react the way he does when he wakes up to Mr. Antolini patting his head?

8. Why is Holden so upset when Phoebe tells him to shut up?

9. What does Holden thinking he will disappear as he crosses the street symbolize, and why does he call out to Allie for help?

10. Why does Holden end the novel where he does?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Identify the climax of the novel. How do you know this is the climax? Could any other scenes be considered the climax? If so, which ones, and why? How does the beginning of the novel lead up to the climax? How is the novel resolved after the climax?

Essay Topic 2

Explain Holden's relationship with Jane Gallagher. Why is Jane important to Holden? How can you tell? What role does Jane play in the novel? How does she affect Holden's decisions in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Explain the importance of the red hunting hat. What does the red hunting had symbolize? Why is the hat important to Holden? Why does he give it to Phoebe?

(see the answer keys)

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