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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. Where does Holden decide to go at the end of the chapter?

2. What name is written inside Phoebe's arithmetic book?

3. Who does Holden talk to when he feels depressed?

4. What aspect of Eastern culture does Carl say he likes better than Western?

5. Where does Holden take Phoebe?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Holden thinking he will disappear as he crosses the street symbolize, and why does he call out to Allie for help?

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

7. Why does Holden decide that he should not feel sorry for girls who marry bores?

8. Why does Holden regret telling his novel?

9. Why does Holden say he would volunteer to sit on an atomic bomb if there is another war?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain Holden's concern for the ducks in the lagoon. What is his concern? Why is he concerned? How does Holden address his concern? What does this concern reveal about his character?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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