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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 eat at the beginning of the chapter?

2. How much does Holden allegedly owe the person who comes to his door?

3. What class does Holden tell Mr. Antolini about?

4. Who did Phoebe write a note to in her notebook?

5. Who did D.B. bring when he visited?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Holden feel bad about blowing smoke in the nuns' faces?

2. Why does Holden think it does not seem like Christmas is coming soon?

3. Why does Holden want to be the “catcher in the rye?”

4. Why did it bother Holden that the boys in his Oral Expression class yelled “Digression!” during speeches?

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

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

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

8. Why does Holden regret telling his novel?

9. What does it reveal about Holden when he finally tells Phoebe what he likes?

10. Why is Holden upset by seeing vulgarities written on the walls of the museum and school?

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

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