1. 10th
Grade
Summer
Reading
Requirements
Hello,
SOPHOMORE!
It has been an
incredible
experience to
watch this group
of freshmen
grow, mature,
and embrace
literature this
year in my
classroom. I can
only imagine the
remarkable
things you will
accomplish as
sophomores.
Luckily for me,
I was given the
opportunity to
continue to work
with you as your
10th
grade ELA
teacher! While
this is exciting, I
want to caution
you: My
expectations are
high. I expected
great things
from you as
freshmen, and I
expect even
greater things
from you as
sophomores. My
plan is to push
you even further
academically.
Like your
freshmen year, you will read and write… a lot. So please be prepared!
Sophomore year is an integral time. Now, more than ever, your grades are an essential aspect of
your road to college. Everything you do academically next year will affect you for the rest of your life,
and the decisions you make right now will have a strong impact on the college you attend and the

2. scholarships you receive. With that in mind, this summer is the perfect opportunity to start your
sophomore year off right.
As part of your studies in 10th grade English, you are required to actively read a novel, answer
study questions, and complete writing activities in connection with the novel, including a handwritten
essay. Your work is due on Monday, August 6 (the third day of school). You will also take a rigorous
exam over the novel on that day. All 10th graders who will attend Williams Prep during the 2012-2013
school year (including those who are currently not yet enrolled at Williams) are required to complete
these assignments.
Your summer reading packet and exam are the first grades of next year, so strive to start the year
off with some high scores! Please don’t hesitate to contact me or the school if you have any questions or
concerns over the summer.
Heather Hill Cernoch
English Department Chair
Williams Preparatory
10th
grade required summer novel: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Summary: “Phoniness,” which is probably the most famous phrase from The Catcher in the Rye, is
Holden’s catch-all for describing the superficiality, hypocrisy, pretension, and shallowness that he
encounters in the world around him. Holden explains that adults are inevitably phonies, and, what’s
worse, they can’t see their own phoniness. Phoniness, for Holden, stands as an emblem of everything
that’s wrong with people and provides an excuse for him to withdraw into his cynical isolation. Holden,
however, expends so much energy searching for phoniness in others that he never directly observes his
own phoniness. Although he’d like to believe that the world is a simple place and that virtue and
innocence rest on one side of the fence while superficiality and phoniness rest on the other, Holden is his
own counterevidence. The world is not as simple as he’d like—and needs—it to be; even he cannot
adhere to the same black-and-white standards with which he judges other people.
How do I get my book? All students are required to purchase their own copies of the novel from Half
Price Books, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.com. You must actively annotate your novels. If you choose to
check out your book from the library, you must write annotations (with page numbers) on a separate sheet
of paper.
Reminder: Bring your book to school with you August 2-6.
Name: _________________________________________
As you read the novel, please respond to the following questions in complete sentences. This
assignment is due on Monday, August 6.
Chapter 1
prostitute: One who sells one's abilities, talent, or name for an unworthy purpose
foil: A fencing sword having a usually circular guard and a thin, flexible four-sided blade with a
button on the tip to prevent injury.

3. 1. What do we learn about the protagonist/narrator’s brother, D.B.?
2. Twice in this chapter the narrator tells us he stands next to a “crazy cannon” while watching a
football game. How might this prove to be important? What does this say about the narrator?
3. Why was the protagonist/narrator back at Pencey at 2:30 instead of around dinnertime? What
does this say about his character’s opinion about competition?
4. Why is the protagonist/narrator not going to return to Pencey after Christmas break?
Chapter 2:
grippe: influenza or the flu
chiffonnier: a high chest of drawers or bureau, often having a mirror on top
qualm: disturbing feeling of uneasiness and self-doubt
5. What reasons does Holden give for being “sort of sorry” for visiting Mr. Spencer?
6. According to Holden, Mr. Thurmer said life is a _______________. What is Holden’s reaction
to this outlook on life?
7. What is Holden’s age? ________________
What does he say is ironic about his age and appearance?
8. While Holden talks to Mr. Spencer, he claims to be thinking about something else. What does
he think about? Why is it important that he has this thought while talking to Mr. Spencer?

4. 9. Holden says that he didn’t fail out of Elkton Hills but rather he “sort of” quit. What bothers
Holden about Elkton Hills? Give an example.
Chapter 3
sadist: someone who obtains pleasure from inflicting pain or others
falsetto: an unnaturally or artificially high-pitched voice, esp. in a man
10. Holden declares himself to be the most terrific ____________________. Since he is our
narrator, why might this be a problem for us readers?
11. When Mr. Ossenburger is talking about praying to Jesus, even while driving, Holden tells us,
“I can just see the big phony bastard shifting into first gear and asking Jesus to send him a few
more stiffs.” Explain this quotation as if you were talking to someone who had not read the
chapter.
12. What does Holden buy in New York after losing the foils? How might this item by symbolic?
13. Explain Holden’s opinion of literature.
14. What does Holden pretend to be when he “horses” around with Ackley?
15. When Ackley says the hat is a “deer shooting” hat, what is Holden’s response?
16. When Holden is retrieving scissors from his closet, what happens to him?

5. Chapter 4
exhibitionist: someone who deliberately behaves in such a way as to attract attention
17. According to Holden, how is Stradlater a “secret slob”?
18. After Stradlater asks Holden to write his essay, Holden says, “[Stradlater] wanted you to
think that the only reason he was lousy at writing compositions was because he stuck all the
commas in the wrong place.” Then Holden says about an experience with Ackley at a basketball
game, “Ackley kept saying . . . that Coyle had a perfect build for basketball. God, how I hate
that stuff.” Why does Holden hate this “stuff”? How does this relate to Holden’s disgust with
phoniness?
19. What is unique about the way Jane Gallagher used to play chess?
Chapter 5
galosh: A waterproof overshoe
halitosis: condition of having offensive-smelling breath; bad breath
20. What does Holden think is the reason the school feeds them steaks on Saturday night? How
does his analysis fit with his character?
21. Why doesn’t Holden throw the snowball?
22. Describe Allie’s mitt.

6. 23. Describe Holden’s reaction to Allie’s death.
Chapter 6
unscrupulous: no regard for what is right or honorable
24. Holden says the following: “[A]ll the athletic bastards stuck together”? What is this in
response to? And how does this observation help to further develop Holden’s character?
25. What does Stradlater say to cause Holden to start a fight with him? Why does this anger
Holden?
Chapter 7
monastery: community of persons, especially monks, bound by vows to a religious life and often
living in partial
or complete seclusion.
monk: a man who has withdrawn from the world for religious reasons
gladstone: suitcase
26. What makes Holden feel so “lonesome”?
27. Where does Holden get his money?
Chapter 8

7. lousy: Abundantly supplied, or oversupplied. Example: lousy with rocks. (Covered with
diamonds).
28. What name does Holden give to Mrs. Morrow?
29. What is Holden’s opinion of Ernest Morrow and how does it differ from what Ernest’s
mother’s opinion is?
30. What lies does Holden tell Mrs. Morrow? How does Holden’s lying prove to be hypocritical
on Holden’s part?
Chapter 9
incognito: with one's identity disguised or concealed
31. Who are all the people Holden wants to call? Why doesn’t he make the calls?
32. What question does Holden ask the Taxi Driver and how does this question fit his character
traits?
33. What is ironic about Holden not wanting to look like a “screwball”?
34. Once in the hotel, what does Holden see when he looks out his window?
35. Who does Holden call up and invite? For what reasons does he call her up?

8. Chapter 10
sterling: thoroughly excellent
36. Who does Holden want to call at the beginning of the chapter? Why does he want to call her?
Why doesn’t he call her?
37. Explain Holden’s experiences at the Lavender.
38. What does Laverne keep asking Holden? He keeps sarcastically saying that this makes her
witty.
Chapter 11
39. While Holden sits in the “vomity-looking chair,” what does he think about?
40. What causes Holden to almost “neck” with Jane?
Chapter 12
41. Describe the conversation that Holden has with the taxi cab driver.
42. Holden thinks Ernie is a good piano player, but he blames the people for ruining his playing.
Explain Holden’s reason.

9. 43. Why does Holden leave Ernie’s?
Chapter 13
nonchalant: coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited
frock: a gown or dress worn by a girl or woman
44. When Holden is walking back to the hotel, he wishes he had his gloves. He says he wishes he
knew who stole these gloves. What does Holden reveal about himself in this part?
45. Holden claims that he is different from other men when it comes to woman. Explain in what
way he is different. Also, how does this add to his characterization?
46. What does Holden do with the girl that Maurice sends over? Why?
Chapter 14
atheist: a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings
47. What does Holden do sometimes when he is depressed?
48. Who are Holden’s two favorite characters from the Bible? What does he think about the
Disciples?
49. What does Maurice do to Holden?

10. 50. What is Holden’s reaction to what happens to him?
Chapter 15
spendthrift: One who spends money recklessly or wastefully
bourgeois: Of, relating to, or typical of the middle class
51. Who does Holden make a date with? What does he think of her?
52. What does Holden’s father do for work? What does he invest his money in?
53. Explain why Holden hates it when somebody has cheap suitcases. Include what happened to
Holden to make him come to hate people with inferior suitcases.
54. Which character from Romeo and Juliet does Holden feel most sorry for? Although he
doesn’t explain why, why do you think he feels much sorrier for this person than any other major
character from the play?
Chapter 16
55. What song lyrics does Holden overhear a child singing? How does this make him feel? Why?
56. When talking about Hamlet, what does Holden say about actors?

11. 57. What does Holden say is the best thing about the museum?
Chapter 17
blasé: uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence
rubbering (Holden’s version of Rubbernecking): To look about or survey with unsophisticated
wonderment or curiosity
clique: a small exclusive group of friends or associates
58. What does Holden find interesting about his old roommate Harris Macklin?
59. What does Holden think about the show he and Sally go to see? What theory does Holden put
forth about when an artist gets too good?
60. Why does Sally want to go ice skating?
61. Summarize what Holden says about school.
62. What does Holden propose he and Sally do? After this bit of conversation, what makes Sally
mad?
Chapter 18
furlough: leave of absence or vacation
63. What does Holden say the trouble with girls is?

12. 64. What does Holden say about most people who cry at phony movies?
65. According to Holden, what would be the worst part of being in a war? What does he say he
will do if there is another war?
Chapter 19
swanky: stylish or elegant
flit: (Slang: Disparaging and Offensive) male homosexual
inane: lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly
66. In order to make sure that the people at the bar didn’t think Holden was a minor, what did he
do when he ordered drinks?
67. Who does Holden meet at the Wicker Bar? What does Holden remember about this guy?
68. How does Holden act when talking to Luce?
69. What suggestion does Luce give to Holden?
Chapter 20
70. Who does Holden call? How does he act on the phone?
71. What happens to the record Holden bought for Phoebe?

13. 72. Where does Holden go after the bar? Why?
73. What does Holden imagine happening to him?
Chapter 21
74. What method does Holden use to sneak into his parents’ apartment?
75. What does Holden do in D.B.’s room before waking up Phoebe?
76. What do you think Holden’s relationship with his father is? Use textual evidence to support
your answer.
Chapter 22
ostracize: to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges
77. What does Holden remember about James Castle?
78. What does Holden say he would like to be if he had a choice?

14. 79. What did Holden have wrong with the song lyric? Why is this significant?
Chapter 23
80. What word does Mrs. Caulfield tell Phoebe she isn’t supposed to be using? Why is this
important?
81. What does Phoebe lend to Holden?
82. What was Holden’s reaction to Phoebe’s generosity?
83. What does Holden give to Phoebe? Why is this significant?
Chapter 24
pedagogical: educational
fiend: devil
84. What bothers Holden about the speech class?
85. What does Mr. Antolini tell Holden he can see him doing some day?
86. What causes Holden to wake up and run out of Antolini’s apartment?

15. Chapter 25 & 26
87. Where does Holden end up sleeping?
88. What does Holden imagine every time he gets to the end of a street?
89. What does Holden see on the wall that makes him very depressed? Why?
90. What do the children do while riding the carrousel? What is Holden’s reaction to this?
91. How does Holden get all wet? Why might it be important that this happens to Holden?
92. Where is Holden telling this story from?
Essay
Directions: After reading the novel, write an expository, multiple-paragraph essay that responds to the prompt
below. Your essay must use sound reasoning and solid evidence by stating facts, giving logical reasons, and
using examples. Write your essay in the box provided on the next page. Do not write outside the box. Before
you begin, create an outline below.
Topic: Explain Holden Caulfield’s opinion of the world. Take into account his attitude toward friends, family,
education, and society as a whole. Remember to include an introduction with a strong thesis statement, body
paragraphs, and a conclusion. Include evidence from the text in your body paragraphs with page numbers, and
don’t forget to explain your evidence.
I. Introduction
A. Hook/Opening Statement:

16. B. Thesis:
II. Body Paragraph 1
A. Topic Sentence:
B. Evidence:
C. Evidence:
III. Body Paragraph 2
A. Topic Sentence:
B. Evidence:
C. Evidence:
IV. Conclusion
A. Restate Thesis:
B. Closing Statement: