The Outsiders Chapter 6

1. In paragraph 20, Jerry Wood most likely studies his wedding ring because he —

• is thinking about his wife

• has just been married recently

• is considering how to break bad news to Ponyboy

• is wondering if Ponyboy’s parents have been informed about the fire

2. In paragraph 31, the lines “he’d beat the tar out of me” and “He was still

swearing at me” suggest that Dally —

• is concerned for Ponyboy’s safety

• feels contempt for what Ponyboy and Johnny did

• is unwilling to help strangers

• feels guilty for hitting Ponyboy

3. A primary cause of the conflict between Ponyboy and Darry is —

• Darry’s obvious preference for Soda over Ponyboy

• Darry’s resentment of having to assume a parental role

• Ponyboy’s insistence on rebelling against any authority figure

• Ponyboy’s lack of understanding of Darry’s motives

4. Ponyboy’s lack of understanding of Darry’s motives

• cried

• sobbed

• whimpered

• mourned

5. The climax of the scene with Ponyboy and his brothers occurs when —

• Soda gives Ponyboy a bear hug and swings him around

• Ponyboy runs to Darry and hugs him

• Ponyboy realizes that Darry is crying

• Soda comments on the change to Ponyboy’s hair

6. In the second to last sentence of the passage, when Ponyboy says he is finally

home he is referring to being —

• back in the city

• with his two brothers

• at his own house

• reunited with the greasers

7. From this passage, the reader could make the generalization that —

• there is always conflict between family members, especially brothers

• schoolteachers are more likely than other adults to accept young people for

  who they are

• people tend to view the behavior they grow up around as natural behavior

• in the same situation, the Socs would not have saved the children

8. Which of these best summarizes the selection?

• Johnny and Ponyboy rescue a group of children from a fire in the church.

  Ponyboy learns that both Dally and Johnny were hurt, and he is startled by

  Jerry Wood’s expression of admiration for the three greasers. When Ponyboy

  is reunited with his brothers, he finally understands that Darry’s harshness is

  a result of his concern for Ponyboy and his fear of losing another family

  member.

• After Johnny and Ponyboy save a group of children from a fire, Dally

  threatens Ponyboy, telling him never to do such a thing again. Jerry Wood

  tells Ponyboy that Johnny will probably not be punished since he killed the

  Soc in self-defense. Reunited with his brothers, Ponyboy is determined never

  to leave home again.

• Ponyboy wakes up in the ambulance and is convinced he is being taken to

  jail, but Jerry Wood surprises him by referring to Ponyboy and Johnny as

  heroes. After learning that Johnny’s injuries are serious, Ponyboy feels the

  need for a cigarette, and Mr. Wood tells him that he is too young to smoke.

  When Soda and Darry arrive, Ponyboy hugs both of them and says he is glad

  to be home

• When Ponyboy wakes up in the ambulance, he becomes hysterical when he

  realizes the gun and the copy of Gone with the Wind have been lost in the

  fire, but Mr. Wood calms him down, and in fact says that Johnny and Ponyboy

  are heroes. Dally expresses anger at Ponyboy for risking his life in the fire.

  Ponyboy realizes that Darry is only harsh with him because he deserves it,

  and Ponyboy is reunited with his brothers.

9. What is revealed about Johnny’s character in this passage? Support your answer

with evidence from the selection.

Answer explanation

Answers will vary. A good answer will include the important point that Johnny

risked his life to save the children trapped in the church. Thus, Johnny shows

selflessness and perhaps heroism. Furthermore, Ponyboy comments that

during the rescue, he sees Johnny for the first time “without that defeated,

suspicious look in his eyes.” He looks as if he is “having the time of his life.” This suggests that in taking action, and a valiant action at that, Johnny finally

feels strong and in control. In shoving Ponyboy toward the window and

telling him to “Get out!” Johnny again exhibits the willingness to sacrifice his

own safety for others.

10. What does Ponyboy’s reaction to Jerry Wood’s words about Ponyboy and his

friends reveal about Ponyboy? Support your answer with evidence from the

selection.

Answer explanation

Answers will vary. A good answer will note that Ponyboy is shocked to hear

Jerry Wood characterize him and his friends as heroes. He wonders if Mr.

Wood has “gotten a good look at Dallas.” Thus, we learn that Ponyboy

assumes everyone passes judgment on him and his fellow greasers based on

their appearance and reputation. He later comments that Jerry Wood “didn’t

seem to mind our being hoods.”