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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 is Holden's cab driver's name?

2. What game did Holden used to play with Stradlater's date?

3. How does Holden know the person he runs into at Ernie's?

4. Why does Holden think Ernie is a phony?

5. Who does Holden want to invite to go with Mal and him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Ackley grunt a response when Stradlater says hello to him?

2. Why does Mr. Spencer read Holden's essay on the Egyptians to him?

3. Why does Stradlater criticize Holden's composition about Allie's baseball mitt?

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

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

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

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

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

9. What does Holden think of his siblings?

10. Why does Holden think Jane cried when her stepfather asked about his cigarettes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Holden's view of women, particularly as they relate to intimate relationships and sex. How does Holden react when faced with the prospect of sex? How does Holden express genuine affection for women? What women in the novel does he care about? How can you tell?

Essay Topic 2

Identify the main conflict of the novel. What type of conflict is this? How does the author express the main conflict throughout the novel? Is this effective? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Examine Holden's relationship with Phoebe. Why does he have such a close relationship with his sister? How are the two alike? How are they different? What does this relationship reveal about Holden's character? How does it affect his actions in the novel?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 584 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample