Test Questions on The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
English 11 Honors Name_______________________________
Chapter Questions
These questions MUST be handwritten, not typed!
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
CHAPTER 1
1. Where did Holden go to school? Why does he have to leave?
2. Who do you think the you might be in the first line?
3. Why does he call his brother D. B. a prostitute?
4. During what time of year does the story begin?
5. Why does Holden need to have a real “good-by”?
6. Though he says that he hasn’t gone down to the game is because he needs to say good-by to “old Spencer,” could there be another reason that Holden does not go to the game? Explain.
7. What did Holden leave on the subway?
CHAPTER 2
8. What was the only class that Holden passed during the grading period?
9. Explain what Holden thinks about the expression “Life is a game”?
10. How many schools has Holden gone to?
11. What is “ironical” about Holden not acting his age?
12. What word does Holden hate because he thinks it is phony?
13. What did Mr. Spencer read to Holden? Why does Holden say that he was beginning to hate Spencer?
14. What was he thinking of while shooting the bull with Mr. Spencer? What do his thoughts imply about what he is saying to Mr. Spencer?
15. Why did he leave his last school? (Briefly explain)
16. How much time has elapsed from the day he left Pencey to the time he tells his story?
CHAPTER 3
17. “I’m the most terrific _____________________________________.
18. What kind of hat did Holden buy in New York? What does he say is the purpose of the hat? Explain what you think he means.
19. Holden says, “I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot.” What does this statement tell us about Holden?
20. What kind of book really knocks him out?
21. Describe Ackley, briefly.
22. How does Holden annoy Ackley?
CHAPTER 4
23. Briefly describe Holden’s roommate?
24. What
Chapter Questions
These questions MUST be handwritten, not typed!
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
CHAPTER 1
1. Where did Holden go to school? Why does he have to leave?
2. Who do you think the you might be in the first line?
3. Why does he call his brother D. B. a prostitute?
4. During what time of year does the story begin?
5. Why does Holden need to have a real “good-by”?
6. Though he says that he hasn’t gone down to the game is because he needs to say good-by to “old Spencer,” could there be another reason that Holden does not go to the game? Explain.
7. What did Holden leave on the subway?
CHAPTER 2
8. What was the only class that Holden passed during the grading period?
9. Explain what Holden thinks about the expression “Life is a game”?
10. How many schools has Holden gone to?
11. What is “ironical” about Holden not acting his age?
12. What word does Holden hate because he thinks it is phony?
13. What did Mr. Spencer read to Holden? Why does Holden say that he was beginning to hate Spencer?
14. What was he thinking of while shooting the bull with Mr. Spencer? What do his thoughts imply about what he is saying to Mr. Spencer?
15. Why did he leave his last school? (Briefly explain)
16. How much time has elapsed from the day he left Pencey to the time he tells his story?
CHAPTER 3
17. “I’m the most terrific _____________________________________.
18. What kind of hat did Holden buy in New York? What does he say is the purpose of the hat? Explain what you think he means.
19. Holden says, “I’m quite illiterate, but I read a lot.” What does this statement tell us about Holden?
20. What kind of book really knocks him out?
21. Describe Ackley, briefly.
22. How does Holden annoy Ackley?
CHAPTER 4
23. Briefly describe Holden’s roommate?
24. What