Chapter 5 Practice Quiz — The Catcher in the Rye
by J.D. Salinger — tap or click to flip
Practice Quiz: Chapter 5
Where do Holden, Ackley, and Mal Brossard go on Saturday evening?
They take a bus to Agerstown to see a movie.
Why does Holden invite Ackley to come along to the movies?
Holden feels sorry for Ackley because nobody else has invited him to do anything that Saturday night.
Why is the trip to the movies disappointing?
They have all already seen the movie, so the evening is mostly wasted.
What assignment does Holden write for Stradlater?
An English composition — a descriptive essay about a room, a house, or some personal object.
What object does Holden choose to write about for Stradlater's composition?
His deceased brother Allie's baseball mitt.
What was special about Allie's baseball mitt?
Allie had written poems in green ink all over the fingers and pocket of the mitt so he would have something to read while standing in the outfield.
What color ink did Allie use to write poems on his mitt?
Green ink.
Was Allie's mitt a catcher's mitt or a fielder's mitt?
It was a left-handed fielder's mitt, not a catcher's mitt.
How did Allie die?
Allie died of leukemia on July 18, 1946.
How old was Holden when Allie died?
Holden was thirteen years old.
How did Holden react on the night Allie died?
He slept in the garage and punched out all the garage windows with his fist, breaking his hand.
What lasting physical consequence did Holden suffer from punching the garage windows?
He broke his hand so badly that he could never make a proper fist again.
What did Holden's parents consider doing after his reaction to Allie's death?
They considered having him psychoanalyzed.
How does Holden describe Allie's personality?
Holden says Allie was the most intelligent and the nicest member of the Caulfield family.
What did Allie's teachers say about him?
They would tell the Caulfield parents what a pleasure it was to have Allie in class.
What does the baseball mitt symbolize in the novel?
It symbolizes Allie's innocence, creativity, and unique spirit, and serves as Holden's most treasured connection to his deceased brother.
Why did Allie write poems on his baseball mitt?
So he would have something to read when he was standing in the outfield and nobody was up at bat.
Where is Stradlater while Holden writes the composition?
Stradlater is out on a date with Jane Gallagher.
What does Holden's invitation to Ackley reveal about his character?
It reveals his fundamental compassion and empathy, even toward people who annoy him.
What physical feature of Allie does Holden mention?
Allie had red hair.
Where does Holden keep Allie's baseball mitt?
He keeps it in his suitcase.
What activity takes place on the Pencey grounds at the beginning of Chapter 5?
A snowball fight breaks out among the students.