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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 reveal about himself in the first sentence of Chapter 3?

2. What favor does Stradlater ask of Holden?

3. Who does Holden say was elected class president?

4. Who does Holden run into at Ernie's?

5. What does Holden trip on as he goes into Ackley's room?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Holden decide not to have sex with Sunny? What does he tell her?

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

4. Why does Ackley grunt a response when Stradlater says hello to him?

5. Compare and contrast Ackley and Stradlater, according to Holden's descriptions.

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

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

8. Why does Holden like that Jane puts her hand on the back of his neck?

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

10. Why does Holden ask Ackley about joining a monastery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Explain the importance of perception in literature. How does the author use perception to affect the reader's interpretation of events in the novel? Give one example from The Catcher in the Rye that shows the importance of perception. Is this an effective use of perception? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Explain Holden's view of women, particularly as they relate to intimate relationships and sex. How does Holden react when faced with the prospect of sex? How does Holden express genuine affection for women? What women in the novel does he care about? How can you tell?

(see the answer keys)

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