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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. How do Ponyboy and Johnny get to where they are going after leaving Dally's house?

2. What major event happens in the park that is a turning point in the story?

3. What does Dally offer the Soc girls?

4. When Ponyboy awakens in the church, where does he try to pretend to be?

5. What book does Johnny bring to the church for Ponyboy?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Dally approach the Soc girls at the drive-in?

2. What does Jerry say when Ponyboy tells him that he and Johnny are wanted for murder?

3. What happens when Dally tries to give the Soc girls a soda at the drive-in?

4. How do Johnny and Ponyboy realize that they are not alone at the park?

5. Why is Ponyboy nervous about walking home alone from the movies?

6. Describe the fight between the greasers and the Socs that occurs when Ponyboy is walking home from the movies.

7. What do Johnny and Ponyboy do in the vacant lot?

8. Explain how Johnny speaks up to the older boys at the drive-in.

9. What do Cherry and Ponyboy talk about while getting concessions at the drive-in?

10. What do Johnny and Ponyboy talk about one morning while watching the sunrise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the different characters' beliefs about violence. What events shape or change their view of violence? Do they think it's a necessary evil?

Essay Topic 2

What storytelling techniques are used in The Outsiders? Discuss foreshadowing, the frame story, flashbacks, etc.

Essay Topic 3

What message is implied at the end of the novel? Is the story intended to inspire hope? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 620 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample