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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 does Holden want to invite to go with Mal and him?

2. Who is Stradlater's date?

3. How many fights does Holden claim he has been in?

4. Who is Ward Stradlater?

5. What does Stradlater do while Holden talks to him about his date?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Holden like writing about Allie's baseball mitt?

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

4. Why does Holden shout to the boys in his dorm as he leaves?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What does Holden think of his siblings?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the role of Holden's creativity on his character. What does he say about film, music, and literature? What does he think of each? Why? How does Holden's creativity affect his character?

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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