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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. Who is Robert Ackley?

2. How did Allie die?

3. What does Marty call Buddy's clarinet?

4. What hotel does Holden go to when he first arrives in New York?

5. Who does Holden say was elected class president?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Holden get nervous when he talks to Stradlater in the bathroom?

3. Why does Ackley get on Holden's nerves?

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

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

6. Why does Holden stay at Ernie's even though “jerks and phonies” surround him?

7. Why does Holden decide not to have sex with Sunny? What does he tell her?

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

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

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

Identify and describe each of Holden's siblings. What role do his siblings play in the novel? What role does he play in their lives? What role does family play in Holden's life? How can you tell?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Identify and define the three different types of narration used in literature. What type of narrator is Holden? How can you tell? How does Holden's role as this type of narrator affect the novel?

(see the answer keys)

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