English 12 or Dual Enrollment Summer Reading Assignment
for The Catcher in the Rye and The World Without Us
The Catcher in the Rye
Directions: Imagine that you have to write a college letter of interest to Ohio State University from the perspective of
Holden Caulfield to gain early acceptance to college. The persuasive prompt that you have to respond to is to “discuss
an obstacle in your life that you had to overcome to grow as a person.” The college registrar will
be looking for specific detail from his life to argue that Holden will be a good candidate for the school. Be honest and
include your knowledge of the story and character of Holden Caulfield. You will be assessed on your ability to get into
the mind of Holden and emulate his honesty (or lack of honesty) and identify events and what makes him motivated.
You should complete the book and then follow the typed format of this modeled letter on a separate sheet to make
your persuasive argument. Be creative with unknown addresses and people that the novel doesn’t provide.
Sample Format
Stephanie Martin
492 Peachtree Lane
Atlanta, GA 39019
(Holden’s address)
Mrs. Willa Norris
591 Main Street
Sterrett, GA 39019
(Receiver’s address)
Dear Mrs. Norris,
(Holden’s Greeting)
(Body of the Letter with Your (Holden’s) Specific Actions and Events from the Story)
Life can be an ongoing war with many fierce battles; I have not won every battle however I am determined not to lose
this war. My first major battle started when I was two years old and was diagnosed with epilepsy. The dictionary website
defines epilepsy as “any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically
manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions.”
Epilepsy has affected several aspects of my life such as my education, my sports ability and fear has caused to take over
during my day to day activities.
My education has been affected by epilepsy; however I have always been determined to overcome my struggles through
persistence and hard work. Due to the seizures caused by my epilepsy my ability to retain the information that is being
taught in classes has been tough. Each time I have a seizure scar tissue builds therefore making it more difficult for me to
retain and remember information. My short term memory has also been extremely affected due to these seizures.
Working with my doctors, teachers, and family I have developed skills and exercises that help me to overcome these
problems. Being diagnosed with epilepsy has led me to develop a deep interest in Biology and Forensics; and I would like
to go on and study Biology and Forensics in college. I have the passion of learning more about epilepsy in college, that
way I could help other Epileptics through tough times. Facing these difficulties in my education head on has made me a
stronger and more determined student and an, athlete.
Throughout my childhood I have been a part of a very competitive family. Most of my family has been involved in a
sport. Ever since I was young I was pushed to become a stronger athlete but I was held back because of the effects of
Epilepsy. Epilepsy only gave me so much energy compared to someone who was normal and did not have this abnormal
problem with their brain. Epilepsy has challenged me by limiting the amount of time that I can participate in a game and
the amount of effort I can put into the game without damaging myself. This had made me more determined to remove
the epilepsy from my brain so I can become a stronger more long-lasting athlete. My family’s love of intensive sports,
made me believe that someday I could be as competitive as them in the athletic category. The only thing that could keep
me from becoming a star athlete would be the capability of not having a seizure on the court.
I found that there was one solution and one solution only to beat the battle of having epilepsy. I had the choice of
having the cause of my seizures removed by a surgical procedure. For the benefit of my future I chose to proceed with
the surgery to remove the scar tissue causing me to have seizures. I had the pleasure of seeing the scalpel in the OR
before I was put under Anesthesia and after seeing the scalpel my passion for the medical field grew immensely. Going
through the recovering phase was critical but teaches me how important a non- stressful recovery is. This recovery has
led me to have a deep passion for people that have to go through more critical surgeries than a cranial opening. The
battle of epilepsy has now been won. I have had the exciting experience of being a year seizure free. Now being seizure
free has changed me and the way I think about disabilities greatly.
Throughout life you can lose a battle but not a war. Being diagnosed with epilepsy was a crucial experience but I made it
through the battle. I am trying my hardest to not let me memory be taken over by the epilepsy. I am also trying to
succeed in sports without being attacked with a seizure on the court. Going through the process of having my epilepsy
removed has given me an advantage for my future. I will not live a day without being prepared to fall down to the floor
and have a seizure. Having epilepsy has made me a stronger person on attempting to successfully excel in the Forensics
and Biology world. I will not let that battle hold me back from succeeding through life.
Always,
(Salutation)
(Holden’s Signature)
Susie Lambert
(Holden’s Typed Name)
________________________________________________________________
The World Without Us
English 12 or Dual Enrollment Summer Reading Guide:
How to use this Guide: A Summer Reading can be very daunting and challenging for anyone not used to reading large
quantities of information over a summer period. Each chapter of the book has been broken down and questions have
been formed. Make your responses full sentences. Also, don’t feel restricted by the size of the blank spaces between
questions, use separate paper if your response is longer. You need to be able to answer the questions as a requirement
for entering my course. This assignment will be collected on the first day back to school.
Prelude: The Monkey Koan
1. Who are the Zapara?
2. Explain how the mass production of the automobile changed the lives of the Zaparan men and women in
the Amazon Rainforest.
3. What is UNESCO? (Look this up on the internet)
4. What is the overlying theme or question that the book asks?
Chapter 1: A Lingering Scent of Eden
1. What does the term Puszcza mean?
2. Describe the aspects of an Old-Growth Forest found in this chapter.
Chapter 2: Unbuilding our Home
1. By the end of this chapter, be able to explain the opening quote by architect Chris Riddle.
2. Explain how water will destroy your house.
3. How many years can your house last without humans occupying them?
4. What happens to pools when humans disappear?
5. What, according to the book, will still be “relatively unchanged” over time?
6. Explain how different climates can affect the destruction of our homes?
Chapter 3: The City without Us
1. What is the Manhattan Project?
2. According to the book, what is the most vulnerable spot of a major city like Manhattan and why?
3. How much water must be pumped away from the subway systems in New York?
4. According to Peter Briffa, how long would it take for the subway systems to fill with water?
5. Describe what the Chinese ailanthus tree will do to the streets of New York.
6. What will happen to landmarks, such as the Botanical Gardens, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and the Statue
of Liberty, if humans disappeared?
Chapter 4: The World Just Before Us
1. After reading Chapter 4, using the information gained from the chapter, answer the question found on page
51, under Ice Eden.
Chapter 5: The Lost Menagerie
1. What prehistoric animal did Thomas Jefferson unearth?
2. What common characteristic did most ancient animals have?
3. Describe some of the theories found in this chapter about the extinction of ancient animals.
Chapter 6: The African Paradox
1. Explain how the megafauna and humans in Africa evolved together.
2. What would happen to Africa if humans disappeared?
Chapter 7: What Falls Apart
1. Why does the Author give importance to the City of Cyprus?
Chapter 8: What Lasts
1. According to Dr. Sozen, what does the success of concrete depend on?
2. Because of the physical and chemical properties of Tuff, what lies beneath the area of Cappadocia?
Chapter 9: Polymers Are Forever
1. What are nurdles?
2. What is happening to the largest, most conspicuous pieces of plastic, and are they biodegrading?
3. What was the startling discovery found in the carcasses in fulmars washed ashore on the North Sea
Coastlines?
4. Is biodegradable plastic truly biodegradable?
5. What type of product is purposefully washing plastic beads down the drain?
6. How many different type of plastics can you find in this chapter?
7. What constitutes the bulk of most landfills?
8. What is biggest misconception about paper trash?
9. What is the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre? What is found there?
10. According to book, how many nurdles are manufactured annually?
11. What are PCBs, and how are they used?
12. What is the Long-Term Prognosis for plastic?
Chapter 10: The Petro Patch
1. What happens to mosquitoes if humans disappear?
2. What does vulcanization do to natural rubber?
3. What are the fate of tires if humans disappear?
4. What will happen to the cities of Houston, Galveston, and Texas City if humans disappear?
5. What endangered bird calls Texas City its home?
6. What will happen to the Houston Ship Channel?
Chapter 11: The World Without Farms
1. Who is the father of the fertilizer industry?
2. What are some of the key chemicals in von Liebig’s fertilizer?
3. What is held at Rothamsted Research Facility?
4. What are PAHs and Dioxins? How are they lethal?
5. What is another name for Dioxins?
6. What are GMO’s?
7. What is Round up?
Chapter 12: The Fate of Ancient and Modern Wonders of the World
1. What will happen to the following structures if Humans disappeared?
a. a. The Chunnel
b. b. Khufu Pyramid
c. c. The Great Wall of China
d. d. Mount Rushmore
2. What does the author equate the Panama Canal to and what is the fate of the canal?
Chapter 13: The World Without War
1. What are some of the dangers associated with the DMZ?
2. What is the fate of the DMZ if humans were to disappear?
Chapter 14: Wings without Us
1. List some of the bird species that have become extinct due to humans.
2. Describe how Americans killed off the passenger pigeon.
3. What are some manmade structures listed in the book that kill off birds?
4. What will happen to domesticated cars if humans disappear?
Chapter 15: Hot Legacy
1. According to this chapter, how many nuclear power plants exist?
2. Describe how UV light created the ozone layer.
3. What are CFC’s, what is their use, and how is it bad for the environment?
4. What is the WIPP?
5. Where is the biggest U.S. Nuclear Reactor located?
6. What do we do with used fuel rods?
7. Describe what will happen to the nuclear power plants if humans were to disappear.
Chapter 16: Our Geologic Record
1. What will happen if the permafrost melts?
2. What is the demand for Coal?
3. What is the fastest way to extract coal?
4. According to this chapter, what led to the downfall of the Mayan civilization?
Chapter 17: Where do we go from here?
1. If humans were to disappear, what would be the only organism to actually suffer?
2. What are some of the super viruses that have the ability to wipe out human civilization?
3. What is VHEMT and what is its motto?
Chapter 18: Art Beyond Us
1. What are noble metals?
2. What is virtually indestructible, unless you smash them?
3. What is found in the two Pioneer spacecrafts?
4. What are found on the golden disks?
Chapter 19: The Sea Cradle
1. What will happen to the deep oceans and coral reefs if humans cease to exist?
Coda: Our Earth, Our Souls
1. According this chapter, worldwide, what is the rate of growth of the human population?