Which best describes the tone of the story?

Sarcastic, cynical, humorous, depressing

Holden's red hunting hat is symbolic of what?

His unique, individuality and his desire not to conform with everyone else

His fear of death and the fact his brother died of cancer

His desire to fit in and be the same as everyone else

Where is Holden as he narrates the story?

He is at a rest home in California.

He is at his parents' house in New York

He is on a plane flying to Europe.

Holden said he felt like committing suicide. Why didn't he?

He didn't want a bunch of "stupid rubbernecks" looking at him all gory.

He wanted to write a letter to Phoebe first, but didn't have paper or a pencil, so he decided to wait.

He was afraid he might not succeed, and then he would have to face his parents.

He was going to jump out the window, but he couldn't get it open. He got tired of trying, and fell asleep.

The story opens on a December evening with our hero packing his things at Pencey Preparatory School. Why?

Road trip with the fencing team

What question does Holden consistently try to answer through a good part of the book?

What happens to the Central Park ducks in the winter?

Where do the amusement park ponies go when they retire?

Do fish survive in a frozen pond?

Where can I get a fake ID to get drinks?

What did Holden like best about the museum?

Everything always stayed where it was.

It reminded him of fun times with his parents and brothers when he was young.

It was warm and cheerful, and no one bothered him.

What does Mr. Spencer tell Holden?

"Life is a game that one plays according to the rules."

"To be or not to be, that is the question."

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

What happened to the composition Holden wrote for Stradlater?

Stradlater insulted Holden about the topic, and Holden ripped it up.

Stradlater turned it in and got an "A."

The English teacher recognized Holden's style and failed Stradlater.

Stradlater didn't use it, because Jane wrote one that he liked better.

The text caused much controversy because of what?

The main character being a woman

The religion of the main character

Catcher in the Rye Test

Authored by Lisa Redmer

English

8th Grade

CCSS covered

Used 1K+ times

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About

This quiz thoroughly assesses students' comprehension of J.D. Salinger's *The Catcher in the Rye*, covering both plot details and literary analysis appropriate for 9th-grade English students. The questions span the complete narrative arc, from Holden's expulsion from Pencey Prep through his encounters with various characters like Mr. Spencer, Stradlater, Mr. Antolini, and his sister Phoebe. Students must demonstrate mastery of key literary elements including symbolism (the red hunting hat, the carousel, the ducks in Central Park), characterization (Holden's protective nature toward children and struggle with change), and thematic analysis (the loss of innocence, alienation, and mental health struggles). The quiz requires students to analyze Holden's psychological state, understand his relationships with other characters, and interpret the deeper meanings behind Salinger's use of symbols and motifs. Students need strong reading comprehension skills, the ability to distinguish between literal and figurative meanings, and critical thinking skills to connect textual evidence to broader themes about adolescence, authenticity, and the transition from childhood to adulthood. Created by Lisa Redmer, an English teacher in the US who teaches grade 8. This comprehensive assessment tool serves multiple instructional purposes throughout a unit on *The Catcher in the Rye*, functioning effectively as a summative assessment after completing the novel, a review activity before major discussions, or a formative assessment to gauge student understanding of key plot points and literary elements. Teachers can use this quiz to evaluate whether students have completed the reading assignment, understand character motivations and development, and can identify and interpret literary symbols and themes. The quiz aligns with Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1 (citing textual evidence), CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2 (determining themes), and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3 (analyzing character development), making it an excellent tool for measuring student progress toward grade-level reading and analysis expectations. The variety of question types, from plot recall to symbolic interpretation, allows teachers to differentiate instruction and identify areas where students may need additional support in literary analysis skills.

Content View

Student View

25 questions

Show all answers

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

How did Holden explain his catcher in the rye dream?

He would be running through a field of rye and farmers with pitchforks would be chasing him.

He would play baseball wearing his brother's glove, and stand in the outfield, ready to catch anything that came his way.

He would stand guard over all the rye whiskey in the world and make sure no one got drunk.

He would stand in a field of rye, where his job would be to catch any children who started to go over the cliff.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.2.6

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Why did Holden leave Mr. Antolini's home before morning?

Mr. Antolini was having a wild party.

Mr. and Mrs. Antolini were having a fight, and Holden didn't want to be caught in the middle.

He thought he could see Phoebe on her way to school.

He woke up and found Mr. Antolini patting his head. He thought Mr. Antolini might be making advances toward him.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.7.1

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was Phoebe's reaction when she first saw Holden? What was her reaction when she found out that he was expelled?

She was glad to see him and hugged him. She said their father would kill Holden when he found out.

At first she was scared, because she thought he was a thief. Then she was worried that he had the flu.

She was angry that he woke her up, and even angrier that he had been expelled.

At first she asked if he had brought her a present. Then she got sarcastic and said their father was used to Holden being expelled.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Holden's obsession with the ducks can symbolize what?

Holden's wonder about what happens after death

Holden's fear of growing up and leaving his childhood behind

Holden's refusal to analyze his own feelings

All of the other answers

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.W.8.9A

CCSS.RL.8.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

What information does Holden finally give the reader about Allie's funeral?

Allie was cremated not buried

It made him very sad

There were too many phoneys there

He never went because he was in the hospital

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.W.8.9A

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

What is written on Phoebe's school wall that upsets Holden?

Rules

The school's mission

Curse words

Graffiti

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

5 mins • 1 pt

How does Holden feel about the death of James Castle?

He thought that the boys who did it were somewhat justified in their actions

He wishes that he was James Castle

He feels very badly about James' suicide and believes the boys who bullied him should have went to jail

He doesn't care much about it because he didn't know James very well

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

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