The Catcher in the Rye Exam

Please fill in the blank:

  1. At the beginning of the novel, Holden says that he will tell his listener only about some “mad man” stuff that caused him to come out “here” and take it easy. Where is “here”?______
  2. From which point of view is Catcher in the Rye told?______
  3. Where does Holden’s family live?______
  4. What is D.B.’s occupation?______
  5. What does Holden purchase for his sister that he thinks she will like?______

Please answer True or False:

  1. Holden’s roommate is the annoying Ackley.
  2. Stradlater is always coming through the shower curtain to bother Holden.
  3. According to Holden, Stradlater is a “secret slob.”
  4. Holden wrote a descriptive essay about a room for Stradlater.
  5. Early in the novel we find out that Holden’s younger brother, Allie, has died from leukemia.
  6. Holden says that he is a terrific liar.
  7. Holden says goodbye to Mr. Spencer because Holden is transferring out of Pencey Prep.
  8. “Giving someone the time” is a euphemism for sexual relations.
  9. Holden’s displays his fear that Stradlater may have given Jane “the time” by pushing Stradlater to the ground and sitting with his knees on Stradlater’s chest.
  10. Holden says that he tried to make a rule about not making out or fooling around with a girl he doesn’t respect, but he broke the rule the same day he made it.
  11. When Holden leaves school, his intention is to hang out in New York for a couple of days until his parents receive notice of Holden’s dismissal.
  12. From Holden’s hotel window, he sees three girls dancing.
  13. Sally and Holden go to see the Lunts perform.
  14. When Sally and Holden go ice skating, Sally accepts Holden’s idea to run off and get married.
  15. Holden and Phoebe have a close relationship.
  16. Phoebe loves to write detective stories.
  17. Holden’s love for Sally Hayes is constant.
  18. Jane seems to be upset at having a “booze hound” for a step-father.
  19. Holden calls Jane when he is very drunk and asks her if he can come over and trim the Christmas tree.
  20. Although Holden smokes cigarettes, he doesn’t partake in drinking alcohol.
  21. Holden fantasizes about moving out West and pretending he is mute.
  22. Sunny is about ten years older than Holden.
  23. Sunny is originally from Hollywood.
  24. Holden’s mother caught Holden in Phoebe’s room smoking a cigarette
  1. What wakes Holden at Mr. Antolini’s house is Mr. Antolini caressing his hand.
  2. Holden likes that at the museum things never change.
  3. Stepping off a curb and disappearing is a euphemism for dying.

Multiple Choice:

  1. When Phoebe asks Holden what he likes, he says that he likes: A. Allie B. talking with her. C. His friends. D. A and B only E. All of the above
  2. How old is Phoebe? A. 5. B. 10. C. 15
  3. Maurice is: A. one of Holden’s brothers. B. one of Holden’s teachers. C. a pimp. D. a taxi driver
  4. Holden has been dismissed from which of the following schools? A. Elkton Hills. The WhootenSchool. C. Pencey Prep. D. A and B. E. all of the above.
  5. Holden’s family is probably: A. wealthy. B. poor.
  6. Why does Holden break all the windows out in the garage? A. because he wanted to get attention from his father. B. because he accidentally locked himself in and had to find a way out. C. because he was angry and sad that his brother died.
  7. Holden and Stradlater get into an altercation. What does Holden try to do? A. Punch Stradlater in the toothbrush. B. Punch Stradlater in the stomach. C. Punch Stradlater in the nose.
  8. What does holden give the nuns? A. some cigarettes. B. a book he had with him. C. money. D. an extra Bible that he said he didn’t need anymore.
  9. After ice skating, Sally: A. leaves by herself. B. goes to a bar with Holden. C. calls her father to pick her up.
  10. When Holden steps off a curb toward the end of the book, he is afraid: A. he will get run over. B. he will start a fight. C. he will get shot in the guts. D. he will keep falling and disappear.
  11. Holden remembers playing what game with Jane: A. checkers. B. chess. C. Monopoly
  12. Which would be detrimental to Holden’s health? A. Drinking. B. Smoking. C. not getting enough sleep. D. only A and B. E. all of the above.
  13. Holden hates: A. phony people. B. the “f” word C. the movies. D. all of the above. E. none of the above
  14. Holden sees a little boy walking in the street. He is singing: A. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. B. Comin’ Through the Rye. C. the Itsy Bitsy Spider.
  15. Why did James Castle jump out of the window? A. He was pushed out; he didn’t jump. B. He wouldn’t take back what he said.
  16. What is the only thing that changes at the museum each time one makes a visit there? A. the Indian exhibits. B. the people visiting the museum.
  17. At the end of the story, Holden says that it’s not good to start talking about people because: A. You start missing them. B. They bring up bad memories. C. Everyone’s a phony
  18. Holden is probably telling his story to: A. Jane. B. D.B. C. a psychiatrist D. his dad.

Identify the speaker.

  1. “Life is a game boy. Life is a game, to be played by the rules.”______
  2. “We’ll have oodles of time to do those things—all those things.”______
  3. “You’ve got to let them go for the gold ring. If they fall off, they fall off.”______
  4. “The mark of an immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.”______
  5. “If you start talking about people, you’ll start missing them.” ______
  6. “Like fun you are”______
  7. “He’ll help you see the patterns of your mind”______
  8. “Ya inarested on a little tail tonight?”______
  9. “Don’t say anything bad about my religion for Christ sake!”______
  10. “Those are professional secrets, buddy.”______
  1. What does Holden fear will happen each time he steps off a curb?
  2. What is the only thing that changes at the museum each time one makes a visit there?
  3. Why did James Castle jump out of the window?
  4. Which would be detrimental to Holden’s health? Drinking, smoking, not getting enough sleep, going out in the snow with wet hair.
  5. What does Holden give the nuns?
  6. Why is it that Holden never meets up with Jane?
  7. Was Mr. Antolini being inappropriate with Holden or was he just drunk and feeling sorry for Holden?
  8. If you were Holden’s psychiatrist, what would you say are the sources for his problems?
  9. Again, as his psychiatrist, how would you try to “reach” Holden, to get him to see value in something?
  10. If you were the parent of a child who was growing more distant and depressed, how would you bridge the gap?