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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 think Mr. Spencer yelled at him as he shut the door?

3. Who is the narrator of the novel?

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

5. What does Holden ask the cab driver about?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Holden refer to D.B.'s writing in Hollywood as prostitution?

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

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

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

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

6. How is Allie's baseball mitt described?

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

8. What five people does Holden think of calling when he arrives at Penn Station?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

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?

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