The Outsiders Study Guide
Multiple Choice
These are 25 multiple-choice questions and 5 long-answer questions. Circle the correct answer
(letter answer ONLY) or answer the questions in complete sentences. This will help you on your
unit exam tomorrow. (HINT: Some of these may be on the test tomorrow!).
Question #1: What does it mean when we use the term “Man versus Self?”
a. The conflict between two-like beings
b. The main character has a conflict with social concepts
c. The main character has a problem with them self
d. The main character is placed against a force of nature
Question #2: What is an example of “Man versus Self” in the novel “The Outsiders?”
a. Johnny’s conflict with Bob
b. Ponyboy discovering himself
c. The battle between the Soc’s and the Greaser’s
d. Johnny versus his parents
Question #3: Who is the protagonist in a novel?
a. The opponent of the main character
b. The dynamic character of a story
c. The narrator of the story
d. The main character of the story
Question #4: Who is the protagonist of “The Outsiders?”
a. Ponyboy
b. Johnny
c. Dally
d. Bob
Question #5: When referring to a book that is read by a narrator that is outside of the story, and sees events
through one character, what are we referring to?
a. Third-Person Point-of-View
b. Second-Person Point of View
c. First-Person Point-of-View
d. None of the above
Question #6: Which perspective is this book read from?
a. Third-Person Point-of-View
b. Second-Person Point of View
c. First-Person Point-of-View
d. None of the above
Question #7: What does it mean by the term “Man versus Man?”
a. The conflict between two-like beings
b. The main character has a conflict with social concepts
c. The main character has a problem with them self
d. The main character is placed against a force of nature
Question #8: When we examine Johnny stabbing Bob, we call this the:
a. Rising Action
b. Climax
c. Plot
d. Initial Incident
Question #9: When looking at a series of events that make up a story, we are simply stating that this is the:
a. Rising Action
b. Climax
c. Plot
d. Initial Incident
Question #10: When looking at the section where Johnny and Ponyboy rescuing the children, we say this is part of
the:
a. Rising Action
b. Climax
c. Plot
d. Initial Incident
Question #11: The Socs and Greasers are divided by which factor?
a. Race
b. Economics
c. Age
d. Geography
Question #12: Bob is an example of a(an):
a. Protagonist
b. Poor person
c. Main character
d. Antagonist
Question #13: What are some characteristics of Johnny?
a. Tough, cold, mean
b. Wise-cracker, joker
c. Scared, abused
d. Serious, determined
Question #14: What are some characteristics of Darry?
a. Tough, cold, mean
b. Wise-cracker, joker
c. Scared, abused
d. Serious, determined
Question #15: What are some characteristics of Dally?
a. Tough, cold, mean
b. Wise-cracker, joker
c. Scared, abused
d. Serious, determined
Question #16: Who stated “I used to talk about killing myself…I don’t want to die now. It ain’t long enough.”:
a. Ponyboy
b. Johnny
c. Two-Bit
d. Dally
Question #17: What are some characteristics of Sodapop?
a. Wise-cracker, joker
b. Serious, determined
c. Youngest of Group
d. Attractive, movie-star looks
Question #18: What are some characteristics of Two-Bit?
a. Wise-cracker, joker
b. Serious, determined
c. Youngest of Group
d. Attractive, movie-star looks
Question #19: Why was the Greasers’ rule “Stick together” doubly important for the Curtis brothers?
a. They had to make it on their own to avoid involving adult supervision
b. They had a promise to their dying mother
c. They were being threatened by the Shephard gang
d. They liked to keep others out of their lives
Question #20: Who does Johnny idolize more than any other Greaser?
a. Ponyboy
b. Dally
c. Two-bit
d. Sodapop
Question #21: Which of the following events causes Ponyboy to reflect on his life?
a. Johnny kills Bob
b. Cherry and Ponyboy become friends
c. Johnny dies
d. The Greasers win the rumble
Question #22: How does Randy’s visit to Ponyboy’s home affect him?
a. It forces Ponyboy to think about the impact his actions have on his family
b. It shakes Ponyboy out of his depression
c. Ponyboy is confused about why a Soc would be friendly to a Greaser
d. Ponyboy realizes that life is more than just Soc v.s. Greaser
Question #23: Which of the following best describes a Soc?
a. Upper-class
b. Lower-class
c. Loves rodeos
d. Drunks
Question #24: Which of the following best describes a Soc?
a. Upper-class
b. Lower-class
c. Loves rodeos
d. Drunks
Question #25: What time period is this novel set in?
a. 1990s
b. 1980s
c. 1960s
d. 1920s
Question #26: What is the main theme of “The Outsiders?”
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Question #27: Explain the meaning of Johnny’s last words, “stay gold.”
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Question #28: What are three of the lessons that the reader could learn from this book?
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