View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do the doctors say that makes Ponyboy realize Johnny is dying?

2. Why does Ponyboy have to walk home after Johnny dies?

3. What does the judge ask Ponyboy?

4. How does Ponyboy want to make Darry proud?

5. What does Ponyboy threaten the three Socs at the grocery store with?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why won't Cherry go see Johnny in the hospital?

2. What do the newspaper articles say about Ponyboy?

3. What does Darry do while Ponyboy is sick?

4. What prognosis do the doctors give Johnny?

5. Why is Ponyboy sick after the rumble?

6. What does Ponyboy do to pass the time while he is bedridden?

7. What do Ponyboy and Randy talk about when Randy comes to visit him?

8. How does Dally get to the rumble?

9. How do readers realize that Ponyboy is in denial and delusional?

10. What does Randy tell Ponyboy when he asks to talk to him alone?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the setting of the novel. What time period is it, and what type of place do the characters live in? What activities, slang, etc. "date" the novel? What impact does this setting have on present-day readers? Is it more difficult to connect with the characters? What significance does the setting have to the events of the novel? Could the events have just as easily happened today? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the plot elements of The Outsiders. Identify the impetus for the story, major events, climax, and denouement.

Essay Topic 3

Explain the reasons why The Outsiders may or may not belong to the realistic fiction genre? What other genres could it belong to?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 644 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample