AN 22111
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
Study Questions
Answer all of the following questions in complete sentences
Chapter 1
1. Complete a brief summary of the important events of this chapter (8-10
lines).
2. Give a brief physical and psychological description for each of the following
characters:
a) Ponyboy Curtis
b) Sodapop Curtis
c) Darry Curtis
d) Two-Bit Matthews
e) Steve Randall
f) Dallas Winston
g) Johnny Cade
3. Describe the setting (time and place).
Chapter 2
4. How do Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally get in to see the movie?
5. a) How does Dally behave with the girls?
b) How do the girls react to his behaviour?
6. Who sticks up for the girls against Dally?
7. How does Dally react?
8. On pages 32 and 33, there is a foreshadowing. Explain what it is and say
what it announces.
9. Why doesn’t Johnny speak to girls much?
Chapter 3
10. How does Cherry explain the difference between socs and greasers? How
does this make Ponyboy feel?
11. What important conclusion about socs and greasers does Ponyboy come to?
Explain the importance of his realization.
12. Who comes looking for Cherry and Marcia? How do the girls react?
13. Why weren’t the girls with them in the first place? What does this tell you
about Cherry’s character?
14. Compare and contrast Cherry and Marcia: list the points they have in
common and the ones thy do not.
15. Explain the circumstances leading to Ponyboy running away from home.
How would you have reacted?
Chapter 4
16. Complete a brief summary of the important events of this chapter (8-10
lines).
Chapter 5
17. a) Why does Ponyboy panic not long after he wakes up?
b) What calms him down?
18. What suggestion does Johnny give Ponyboy that will enable them to hide
better?
19. How long do they remain hidden?
20. What is Johnny’s attitude towards Dally Winston?
21. Ponyboy remembers a poem by Robert Frost he once heard. Write it down
and try to find the meaning behind it.
22. What feelings are portrayed in Sodapop’s letter to Ponyboy? What values
can you find in it? Justify.
23. Where does Dally take Ponyboy and Johnny?
24. Ponyboy and Johnny find out that someone is helping the greasers. Who is
it?
Chapter 6
25. Complete a brief summary of the important events in this chapter (8-10
lines).
Chapter 7
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
Explain how Darry and Sodapop keep the reporters away from Ponyboy.
What did the boys have to do to be able to see Johnny and Dally?
Describe Johnny’s and Dally’s physical conditions.
Explain why the author makes the description of the ride home so short.
What do the boys prefer for breakfast?
Who comes to visit? Why isn’t the door locked?
Why do the greasers enjoy reading about themselves in the newspapers?
What is Ponyboy’s dream and why does it scare Darry?
Why did Sodapop and Sandy break up?
Why does Ponyboy want Two-bit to keep quiet about his physical condition?
Describe the nature of Ponyboy’s encounter with Randy.
What does Ponyboy finally fully understand?
Chapter 8
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
Why did the doctor finally let Ponyboy and Two-Bit in to see Johnny?
What important “event” is to be held that night?
Find a simile on page 106/120.
What does Johnny tell Ponyboy about dying?
How does Johnny react when his mother goes to visit him in the hospital?
Why?
Find an antithesis on page 108/123.
How does Johnny’s mother react when she sees Ponyboy and Two-Bit?
Say what figure of speech is found in the following sentence: “He kept it
razor sharp”. (page 110/125)
What does Two-Bit give Dally before leaving the hospital? Why?
Why won’t Cherry go see Johnny in the hospital?
What reason does Cherry give for helping Ponyboy?
Chapter 9
49. Briefly summarize the events leading up to the rumble, as well as its
outcome.
50. What advice does Dally give Ponyboy on the way to the hospital?
51. As Johnny dies, he tells Ponyboy to “Stay gold”. Explain the significance of
this statement.
Chapter 10
52. Briefly summarize the important events of this chapter (8-10 lines).
Chapter 11
53. Briefly summarize the important events of this chapter (8-10 lines).
Chapter 12
54. What is the outcome of the trial?
55. Explain how Ponyboy has changed.
56. What does Ponyboy’s English teacher suggest Ponyboy do to improve his
grade?
57. What information regarding Sandy does Darry tell Ponyboy?
58. What does Ponyboy learn as he reads Johnny’s letter?
59. How does this letter inspire Ponyboy?
60. Explain the significance of the very last sentence of this novel.