The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 2 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. Who does Holden visit in Chapter 2?

   • Dr. Thurmer
   • Mr. Haas
   • Mr. Zambesi
   • Correct answer: Mr. Spencer

   Holden visits his elderly history teacher, Mr. Spencer, who is sick at home with the grippe, to say goodbye before leaving Pencey.

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2. 2

   Question 2. What illness does Mr. Spencer have?

   • Correct answer: The grippe
   • Bronchitis
   • Pneumonia
   • A cold

   Mr. Spencer is sick with the grippe.

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3. 3

   Question 3. What subject does Mr. Spencer teach?

   • English
   • Mathematics
   • Correct answer: History
   • Science

   Mr. Spencer is Holden's history teacher, and it is Holden's history exam essay that Spencer reads aloud.

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4. 4

   Question 4. What was the topic of Holden's history essay that Mr. Spencer reads aloud?

   • The American Revolution
   • Correct answer: The Egyptians
   • Ancient Greece
   • The Roman Empire

   Holden wrote a short essay about the Egyptians, touching on how they wrapped up dead people, which Mr. Spencer reads aloud while Holden has to sit and listen; Holden says, "It certainly was a dirty trick."

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5. 5

   Question 5. What did Holden write at the bottom of his exam paper?

   • A request asking Mr. Spencer for a chance to retake the exam
   • A complaint that the essay question on the Egyptians was unfair
   • Correct answer: A note telling Mr. Spencer not to feel bad about flunking him
   • A promise to Mr. Spencer that he would open his textbook more

   Holden wrote an apologetic note at the bottom of his exam, showing his empathy and awareness of his own failure.

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6. 6

   Question 6. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

   • Did Mr. Spencer tell Holden that 'Life is a game'?

     Happened

     Mr. Spencer echoes the advice of headmaster Dr. Thurmer, telling Holden that life is a game that one plays according to the rules.

   • Did Holden privately think life is a game for everybody?

     Didn't happen

     He tells Mr. Spencer "Yes, sir. I know it is," but privately thinks, "Game, my ass."

   • Did Holden tell Mr. Spencer the truth about why he was leaving?

     Didn't happen

     He tells Mr. Spencer he has to get his equipment at the gym, but he tells us the real reason: "I couldn't've sat there another ten minutes to save my life."

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7. 7

   Question 7. What excuse does Holden use to leave Mr. Spencer's house?

   • He says he needs to pack for his trip home
   • Correct answer: He says he needs to go to the gym to get his equipment
   • He says he must communicate with his family
   • He says he has to meet the headmaster

   Holden says he has "quite a bit of equipment at the gym" to take home, though what he tells the reader is that he "just couldn't hang around there any longer."

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8. 8

   Question 8. What word does Mr. Spencer use that Holden particularly dislikes?

   • Correct answer: Grand
   • Wonderful
   • Marvelous
   • Splendid

   Spencer calls Holden's parents 'grand' people, and Holden hates the word, calling it a 'phony' word.

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9. 9

   Question 9. What does the word 'grippe' mean?

   • A chronic respiratory condition
   • A complaint or grumble about something
   • A sudden attack of stomach cramps
   • Correct answer: An old-fashioned term for influenza

   The grippe is an archaic term for influenza or the flu, commonly used in the early to mid-twentieth century.

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10. 10

    Question 10. When Mr. Spencer asks whether Holden has any "qualms" about leaving Pencey, what are qualms?

    • Calm and peaceful feelings of relief
    • Official complaints made to a school
    • Correct answer: Uneasy feelings of doubt or worry
    • Strong desires to remain in a place

    Qualms are uneasy feelings of doubt; Holden admits to "a few qualms" but says it hasn't really hit him yet.

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11. 11

    Question 11. Which of these events actually happened in this chapter?

    • Did Mr. Spencer offer Holden a cup of hot chocolate before he left?

      Happened

      Mr. Spencer asks, "Wouldn't you like a cup of hot chocolate before you go?" but Holden says he has to go right to the gym.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does Holden's internal rejection of the 'Life is a game' idea reveal about him?

    • Correct answer: He thinks it is a game only for the side with the hot-shots
    • He does not understand the metaphor
    • He agrees with it but is too proud to admit it
    • He is lazy and does not want to follow rules

    Holden thinks life is a game only "If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are"; on the other side, he asks, "what's a game about it?"

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13. 13

    Question 13. What detail about Mr. Spencer's appearance most disturbs Holden?

    • His thick glasses
    • His heavy winter coat
    • His formal suit and tie
    • Correct answer: His bumpy old chest showing under a ratty bathrobe

    Holden doesn't "much like to see old guys in their pajamas and bathrobes," and he keeps noticing Mr. Spencer's "bumpy chest" and his "sad old bathrobe."

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