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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 Phoebe eat for dinner?

2. Where does Holden pinch Phoebe?

3. What time is Holden's date?

4. Where did Holden room with Harris Macklin?

5. What does Holden say happens if you tell anyone anything?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Holden second-guess his reaction to Mr. Antolini patting his head?

2. Why does Holden like the kettledrum player in the orchestra?

3. Why does Holden scold Phoebe for putting ink on Curtis Weintraub's windbreaker?

4. Why does Holden imagine he was shot by Maurice?

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

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

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

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

9. Why does Holden want to move to the West and pretend to be a deaf-mute?

10. Why does it make Holden sad when Phoebe asks why he got kicked out of Pencey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the theme of innocence in The Catcher in the Rye. How does the author address the theme? How does the theme affect the events in the novel?

Essay Topic 2

Describe Holden Caulfield. What conflicts are there between what Holden says about himself, and his words and actions? Why do these conflicts exist? What do these conflicts reveal about Holden?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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