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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 does Holden say happens if you tell anyone anything?

2. Where does Holden go instead of looking for Phoebe?

3. What is Mrs. Antolini's first name?

4. Why does Holden want Carl to stay for one more drink?

5. Where is the girl Carl is dating from?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Holden react the way he does when he wakes up to Mr. Antolini patting his head?

2. Why is Holden drawn to the boy singing as he walks down the street?

3. Why is Holden confused when Sally tells him to stop yelling?

4. Why does Holden feel better when he is looking around D.B.'s room?

5. Why is Phoebe angry when she realizes Holden got kicked out of Pencey?

6. Why is Holden so emotional when he sees Phoebe on the carousel?

7. Why does Holden end the novel where he does?

8. Why does Holden start to cry when he is saying goodbye to Phoebe?

9. Why does Holden call Sally when he is drunk?

10. How has Carl changed when Holden meets him at the Wicker Bar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Holden's relationships with adults in The Catcher of the Rye. What adults does he respect? Why does he respect them? What adults does he not respect? Why does he not respect them?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Identify the climax of the novel. How do you know this is the climax? Could any other scenes be considered the climax? If so, which ones, and why? How does the beginning of the novel lead up to the climax? How is the novel resolved after the climax?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 654 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample