ENG 11H: American Literature
Catcher in the Rye Exam (40 pts.)
TEST #1
PART I. Character Matching: Match the description with the appropriate character. Some answers will be
used more than once, some not at all.
1. She “keeps all her kings in the back row” and is the only person outside
Holden’s family he feels close to.
a. Holden Caulfield
b. Ackley
2. Injures his hand smashing out windows in a garage.
c. Mr. Spencer
3. Obnoxious neighbor who, unlike Holden, is oblivious to being an
outsider.
4. Shallow and superficial, this character is the first to be cursed as a
“moron.”
d. Stradlater
e. Jane Gallagher
ab. Sally Hayes
5. Described as a “genius” that is “neat” and “a good type of skinny,” forces
Holden to confront his pessimistic view of life by telling him, “you don’t ac. Allie
like anything.”
ad. D.B.
6. This person is the first to question Holden’s lack of direction, reminding
him that “life is a game that one plays according to the rules.”
ae. Phoebe
7. Refuses to meet up with Holden to catch up on some “beauty sleep.”
bc. James Castle
8. His death from leukemia sparks Holden’s breakdown.
bd. Faith Cavendish
9. He lives out the frustration Holden wishes he could – and pays with his
life.
be. Carl Luce
cd. Mr. Antolini
10. He “used to be a regular writer” before he “prostituted” himself as a
screenwriter.
11. “About the best teacher” Holden ever had, this character’s compassion
for his students confuses Holden.
ce. Sunny
de. Ed Banky
abc. Maurice
12. Works as an elevator operator/pimp
13. Although this character gives Holden “a royal pain,” she is the first to
gain Holden’s confidence about being tired of the life he is living.
14. Considered the “bright one”, Holden’s touchstone who keeps him
grounded.
15. He breaks Holden’s armor of cynicism with his sympathy and insightful
advice – Holden must pervert these deeds to serve his negative fantasy
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ENG 11H: American Literature
Catcher in the Rye Exam (40 pts.)
TEST #1
Part II. Object Matching: Match the object or name to its significance in the novel. Some answers will be
used more than once, some not at all.
16. A physical representation of Holden’s unique nature – worn in a selfconscious, flamboyant manner.
a. The red hunting cap
b. The ducks in Central Park
17. A physical way Holden can connect to characters he feels are pure,
innocent and “un-phony”.
c. The Museum of Natural
History
18. An indication that life is not black and white but filled with color.
d. Allie’s baseball glove
19. An instrument of innocence, it shows Holden's overall idea to catch
children as they fall off the rye.
e. The two nuns
20. Another symbol of Holden’s desire that simple elements of childhood
should remain static,, “recorded” in history as it is and always will
be; its shattering shows the flaws in this thought.
ab. James Castle
21. It represents a fake spirit of Christmas and a manufactured type of
religiousness that panders to the masses.
ad. Radio City Music Hall
ac. “Little Shirley’s Beans”
ae. Pencey Prep
22. Represents ambiguity – even though the world may appear black and
white.
bc. The blue coat
23. Represents Holden’s love for Allie and Allie’s own unique character.
bd. The carousel
24. Represents resurrection, the natural course of the world in surviving
harsh environments.
be. Phobe’s notebook
cd. The gold ring
25. Represents the circle of life with its ups and downs.
ce. Ed Bankey’s car
26. Represents the world Holden wishes he could live in where nothing
ever changes, everything is simple and understandable.
de. Sunny
27. Shows that children must risk to achieve their hopes and dreams and
that adults must let them.
28. Stands for dying nobly for an unworthy cause and how close Holden
could be to the same fate.
29. The least phony expression of thought in the novel – pure in its lack
of pretense and honesty (unembarrassed and unadorned)
30. With her youth, represents a foil to Jane in her loss of innocence, a
child who fell off the cliff.
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ENG 11H: American Literature
Catcher in the Rye Exam (40 pts.)
TEST #1
PART II. Multiple Choice: Choose the letter that best answers the question.
31. Where does the title of the novel Catcher in the Rye come from?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A game Holden and Allie would play.
A reference to Greek Mythology.
A poem by Robert Burns.
The title of Holden’s favorite song.
32. All are true of Holden’s paradoxical nature EXCEPT?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
He looks old but acts young.
He hates phonies but constantly lies
He has a romantic view of sex but hires a prostitute
He puts people down, but secretly craves attention
He flunks out of school but really respects education and teachers
33. As the novel opens, Holden speaks to
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
The reader
D.B.
A psychiatrist
His dead brother Allie
Himself
34. In what month does the novel take place?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
January.
December.
November.
May.
June.
35. Given Holden’s reaction to Phobe on the carousel, the rain that follows likely
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Serves as a metaphor for Holden’s grim realization.
Serves as a sort of baptism, a new view of life.
Serves to make the scene even more chilling.
Forces a questioning about Holden’s sanity.
Explains why Holden is sick at the beginning and end of the novel.
36. Which of the following characters symbolizes childhood innocence for Holden? (Bubble all that
apply.)
a. Robert Ackley
b. James Castle
c. D.B. Caulfield
d. Allie Caulfield
e. Mrs. Morrow
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ENG 11H: American Literature
Catcher in the Rye Exam (40 pts.)
TEST #1
37. Which character best symbolizes the compromising of dreams with reality?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Robert Ackley
D.B. Caulfield
Allie Caulfield
Mrs. Morrow
Mr. Antolini
38. Holden tells his sister that he wants to be a “catcher in the rye.” Why?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
He wants to become a farmer.
He wants to become a genius and be recognized for his gifts.
He wants to catch any child that falls over the cliff, saving them from growing up.
He wants to save the ducks from freezing in the winter.
He wants to finally make love to a woman romantically.
39. Which of the following statements about Jane Gallagher is not true?
a.
b.
c.
d.
She represents innocent gender relations for Holden.
She represents Holden’s contempt for phoniness.
Her relationship with her stepfather represents Holden’s distrust of adult authority.
She represents Holden’s inability to conceive of women as anything but entirely pure or
entirely corrupt.
40. Mr. Antolini and Phoebe both
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Expose the flaws in Holden’s fantastical thinking.
Tell Holden that he hates everything
Tell Holden that he is growing up faster than most boys his age.
Tell Holden that he will die nobly for an unworthy cause.
Indicate to Holden that running away is sometimes the best choice in times of trouble.
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