The Catcher in the Rye, Chapter 8 quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. What false name does Holden give Mrs. Morrow on the train?

   • Frederick Woodruff
   • Robert Ackley
   • Ernest Morrow
   • Correct answer: Rudolf Schmidt

   Holden tells Mrs. Morrow his name is Rudolf Schmidt, which is actually the name of the janitor in his dormitory at Pencey Prep.

   Read the passage
2. 2

   Question 2. Who is Rudolf Schmidt in reality?

   • The conductor collecting tickets on the train
   • Correct answer: The janitor in Holden's dormitory
   • A history teacher at Pencey Prep
   • A popular senior in Holden's English class

   Rudolf Schmidt is the janitor in Holden's dormitory. Holden borrows his name to conceal his own identity from Mrs. Morrow.

   Read the passage
3. 3

   Question 3. How does Mrs. Morrow figure out that Holden attends Pencey Prep?

   • Correct answer: She sees the Pencey Prep sticker on his suitcase
   • The conductor mentions it while collecting her ticket
   • She overhears him talking about Pencey to another passenger
   • She recognizes the red hunting hat he is wearing

   Mrs. Morrow notices the Pencey Prep sticker on Holden's suitcase, which prompts her to mention that her son also attends the school.

   Read the passage
4. 4

   Question 4. What is Holden's real opinion of Ernest Morrow?

   • He has never actually met Ernest
   • He admires Ernest as the best athlete in their class
   • Correct answer: He considers Ernest one of the biggest jerks at Pencey
   • He believes Ernest is genuinely shy, modest and sensitive

   Holden privately considers Ernest Morrow a mean-spirited bully and one of the biggest jerks at Pencey, though he tells Mrs. Morrow the opposite.

   Read the passage
5. 5

   Question 5. What lie does Holden tell Mrs. Morrow about Ernest's social standing?

   • Correct answer: Ernest was everyone's choice for class president but refused to be nominated
   • Ernest was invited to edit the student newspaper but politely refused
   • Ernest was elected captain of the football team but declined the honor
   • Ernest received the school's highest academic award but gave it away

   Holden claims a bunch of the boys wanted Ernie for class president but that he was too "shy and modest" to let them nominate him, so Harry Fencer was elected instead.

   Read the passage
6. 6

   Question 6. What reason does Holden give Mrs. Morrow for going home early?

   • He says a family member has suddenly become seriously ill
   • Correct answer: He says he needs an operation to remove a brain tumor
   • He says the school closed early for the holidays
   • He says he was expelled for poor grades

   Rather than admitting he was expelled, Holden invents a story about needing surgery to remove a small tumor on his brain, escalating his deception.

   Read the passage
7. 7

   Question 7. How does Holden describe his own tendency to lie?

   • He says he never deceives anyone's mother, only other students
   • He says lying always leaves him feeling physically sick
   • He says he only lies to adults when it is absolutely necessary
   • Correct answer: He says that once he gets started lying, he can go on for hours

   Holden starts reading a timetable "Just to stop lying," and admits, "Once I get started, I can go on for hours if I feel like it."

   Read the passage
8. 8

   Question 8. What does Holden offer Mrs. Morrow while they talk about Ernest?

   • A copy of a book he is reading
   • A ride from the train station
   • Correct answer: A cigarette
   • His phone number

   Holden offers Mrs. Morrow a cigarette. He also attempts to invite her for a cocktail, which she declines.

   Read the passage
9. 9

   Question 9. Which of the following events actually happen in Chapter 8?

   • Holden takes a late train from near Pencey Prep to New York City.

     Happened

     Yes. Holden walks through the snow to the station and catches a train after about ten minutes, heading for the New York hotel he planned on in Chapter 7.

   • Mrs. Morrow recognizes Holden from a school event.

     Didn't happen

     No. She has never met him; she notices the Pencey sticker on one of his Gladstones and asks whether he goes to Pencey.

   • Holden tells Mrs. Morrow that the boys wanted Ernest for class president.

     Happened

     Yes. Holden says a bunch of them wanted Ernie as class president but that Ernie "wouldn't let us nominate him."

   • Holden tells Mrs. Morrow his real name.

     Didn't happen

     No. He tells her his name is Rudolf Schmidt, which is really the name of the janitor of his dorm.

   • Holden invents a story about needing brain surgery.

     Happened

     Yes. He says he has to have an operation for a "tiny little tumor on the brain."

   Read the passage
10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these statements about Holden's behavior on the train are true?

    • Holden enjoys the act of lying to Mrs. Morrow.

      Happened

      Yes. Holden tells the reader "boy, was I chucking it," and later, "I'm glad I shot it for a while, though."

    • Holden tells Mrs. Morrow that Ernest is unpopular at school.

      Didn't happen

      No. He tells her the opposite, that Ernie is "one of the most popular boys at Pencey."

    • Holden offers Mrs. Morrow a cigarette.

      Happened

      Yes. He asks her, "Would you care for a cigarette?" and gives her a light.

    • Holden feels guilty when Mrs. Morrow shows genuine concern about his fictional brain tumor.

      Happened

      Yes. When she says she is so sorry, Holden admits, "I was right away sorry I'd said it," and he reads a timetable to stop lying.

    • Holden reveals to Mrs. Morrow that he has been expelled from Pencey.

      Didn't happen

      No. He keeps it from her; when she asks why he is going home before Wednesday, he says he has to have an operation.

    Read the passage
11. 11

    Question 11. What does 'conscientious' mean as Holden uses it about the Pencey faculty?

    • Strict and quick to punish students for minor mistakes
    • Easily embarrassed and anxious about others' opinions
    • Fully awake and aware of what is happening around one
    • Correct answer: Careful and diligent about doing one's work well and properly

    Holden tells Mrs. Morrow that "Some of the faculty are pretty conscientious," meaning careful and hardworking about doing their jobs well.

    Read the passage
12. 12

    Question 12. What does 'adapt' mean when Holden says Ernest 'really knows how to adapt himself'?

    • To surrender and obey whatever other people demand
    • To formally accept something and treat it as one's own
    • Correct answer: To adjust oneself to new people, places or conditions
    • To become highly skilled and expert at a difficult task

    Holden tells Mrs. Morrow that Ernest "really knows how to adapt himself," meaning he adjusts easily to new people and situations, one of the things he says while "shooting the old crap around."

    Read the passage
13. 13

    Question 13. What does 'snobbish' mean as Holden uses it while describing Ernest to his mother?

    • Correct answer: Acting as though one is better than other people
    • Loud, impolite and careless about manners
    • Shy and uneasy around people one doesn't know well
    • Sneaky and dishonest in small, hidden ways

    Holden tells Mrs. Morrow he first thought Ernest was "kind of a snobbish person," meaning someone who acts superior to others, then claims Ernest just has a very original personality.

    Read the passage