The Outsiders
S. E. Hilton
Chapter 1 Questions
1. Ponyboy says ‘I was wishing I looked like Paul
Newman – he looks tough and I don’t.’ We also learn
that he likes books and films. What conflict in
Ponyboy do these details alert us to?
2. Who and what are the ‘Greasers’ and the ‘Socs’?
3. What is Ponyboy’s home situation?
Chapter 2 Questions
1. What differences of attitude and personality between Dally and
Ponyboy are revealed during the encounter with Cherry and Marcia?
2. What does Cherry’s rejection of Dally show about her?
3. ‘All Socs are not like that … That’s like saying all you greasers are like
Dallas Winston.’ Ponyboy is being forced to question his simple
stereotypes about people. Explain.
4. Why is Johnny so nervy? What dangerous object has he acquired?
Chapter 3 Questions
1. ‘Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren’t so different. We
saw the same sunset,’ says Ponyboy after his conversation with
Cherry. What does he mean?
2. Why does Two-Bit slap Ponyboy after his remark about Johnny and
what does it show?
3. ‘It ain’t fair that we have all the rough breaks!’ says Ponyboy. What is
he thinking of?
4. What does Ponyboy wish for in his dream of a better life?
Chapter 1 – 3 Vocab (P7-42)
1. What is the difference between ‘tuff’ and ‘tough’?
2. What is a hood?
3. What do the following expressions mean?
 ‘to jump someone’
 ‘to be jumpy’
 ‘to play chicken’
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4. Write down synonyms for the words:
 Hitched (p9)
 Fierce (p9)
 Perspiration (p9)
 Hastily (p21)
 Roguishly (p21)
 Dumbfounded (p35)
 Resignedly (p36)
5. Give definitions for the words:
 Clammy (p9)
 Hauling (p10)
 Quivering (p12)
 Grizzly (p12)
 Elfish (p13)
 Reputation (p14)
 Snarling (p25)
 Bickering (p25)
 Elite (p34)
Chapter 4 Questions
1. What does Bob mean when he says greasers are ‘white trash with long
hair’?
2. What leads Johnny to take such violent action at the fountain?
3. Dally has come across so far as a thug with few redeeming qualities.
What good qualities does he show when Ponyboy and Johnny
approach him in their hour of need?
4. What awaits Johnny and Ponyboy if they are caught?
Chapter 5 Questions
1. After they have cut their hair, both Ponyboy and Johnny cry for some
time. Why?
2. What does Johnny say about the killing of Bob and what does this
show about him?
3. What is the author telling us about Ponyboy and Johnny when they
watch the sunrise and Ponyboy remembers the poem?
4. What important information about Darry does Ponyboy discover in
Soda’s letter?
Chapter 6 Questions
1. What does Dally reveal about Cherry that both surprises and pleases
him?
2. Why does Dally oppose Johnny’s decision to give himself up and what
does Ponyboy realise about Dally?
3. At the burning church, what do the actions of Ponyboy, Johnny and
Dally demonstrate about them?
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Chapter 7 Questions
1. Ponyboy looks at the newspaper headline JUVENILE DELINQUENTS
TURN HEROS. Two-Bit comments: ‘What I like is the ‘turn’ bit…Y’all
were heroes from the beginning. You just didn’t ‘turn’ all of a sudden.’
What is the point being made here?
2. Why has Sandy really been sent away and what does Soda’s reaction
tell us about him?
3. What is Randy’s explanation for Bob’s troubles?
4. What does Ponyboy learn in his conversation with Randy?
Chapter 8 Questions
1. Referring to Johnny’s life, Ponyboy talks about ‘Sixteen years on the
streets and you can learn a lot. But all the wrong things, not the things
you want to learn.’ What is he expressing here?
2. Seeing Johnny’s mother, Ponyboy comments ‘I felt sick. No wonder
Johnny didn’t want to see her. No wonder he stayed overnight at TwoBit’s or at our house and slept on the wasteground in good weather.’
What does Ponyboy mean?
3. ‘You know, the only thing that keeps Darry from being a Soc is us.’
What is Ponyboy saying here?
Chapter 9 Questions
1. ‘We looked hoody and they looked decent. It could be just the other
way around – half of the hoods we know are pretty decent guys
underneath all that grease, and from what I’ve heard, a lot of Socs are
just cold-blooded mean – but people usually go by looks.’ What does
Ponyboy mean?
2. What is it about confronting Paul that makes Darry even more
determined to win the rumble?
3. ‘That’s what you get from helpin’ people…You’d better wise up,
Pony…you get tough like me and you don’t get hurt. You look out for
yourself and nothin’ can touch you…’ What is Dally arguing and why?
4. What does Johnny mean by his dying words: ‘Stay gold, Ponyboy. Say
gold…’?
Chapter 10 Questions
1. What does Two-Bit mean when he says ‘So even Dally has a breaking
point’?
2. Why does Dally knowingly provoke the police with the unloaded gun?
3. What does Johnny leave to Ponyboy and why?
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Chapter 11 Questions
1. What does Ponyboy think when he finds the picture of Bob in the
school yearbook?
2. How does Randy relate to Ponyboy when he visits and why is this
important?
3. Ponyboy claims that he killed Bob and that Johnny is not dead. What
is going on?
4. Darry calls Ponyboy ‘little buddy.’ What is this significant?
Chapter 12 Questions
1. Ponyboy shows some worrying symptoms after the acquittal. What are
they and why is he acting this way?
2. What is Darry’s message to Ponyboy when they have the confrontation
about his unfinished homework?
3. What is Soda’s message to both Darry and Ponyboy (after he runs out
and they catch up with him)? What do they agree to?
Chapter 8 -12 Vocab (p74-128)
1. Provide definitions for the following words:
 Ace (p97)
 Underpriviledged (p98)
 Juvenile delinquent (p98)
 Stupor (p108)
 Concussion (p112)
 Idolised (p116)
 Delirious (p113)
 Acquitted (p120)
2. Explain the following expressions:
 ‘get the ace out of his shoe…’ (p97)
 ‘prying my fingers loose…’ (p104)
3. Write a synonym for each of the words below:
 Menace (p98)
 Fender (p121)
 Silently (p102)
 Glowed (p107)
 Convinced (p109)
4. Provide antonyms for the words:
 Decent (p108)
 Mean (p102)
 Brave (p102)
 Praising (p111)
 Careful (p119)
 Loose (p125)
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