The Outsiders



Year 9 English The Outsiders

Reading Journal

Chapter One

1. Who are the greasers? (p4)

2. How do Ponyboy's relationships with Darry and Sodapop differ?  Explain.

3. Why is the 'gang' important to Johnny? (p11)

4. Do you think Darry loves Ponyboy?  Why does he treat Ponyboy the way he does?

Chapter Two

1. Vocabulary – Find the meaning for the following word in this chapter: vaguely.

2. Who are the Socs, and what are their values (what is important to them?

3. Who are Cherry and Marcia and why were they so frightened of Johnny and Ponyboy? (p19)

4. Why doesn't Ponyboy like referring to Sodapop as a dropout?

5. Who is Dally and what is he like? (p17)

Chapter Three

1. Vocabulary - Find the meaning for the following words in this chapter: impersonally, ornery, resignedly

2. What does Cherry explain as the difference between the socs and the greasers? (p30)

3. When and how did Ponyboy's parents die? (p38)

4. What happens when Ponyboy comes home after his curfew?

5. Do you think teenagers should have a curfew? Why or why not? (p40)

6. Why do you think Cherry is sharing her true feelings with Johnny and Ponyboy? (p30)

Chapter Four

1. Vocabulary - Find the meaning for the following words in this chapter: - hermit, premonition

2. What major event happens in this chapter?

3. Why did Johnny react to the situation in such a violent manner? What could have been some alternatives?

4. What would your advice be to Johnny and Ponyboy if they'd come to you for help instead of Dally?  Explain.

Chapter Five

1. Vocabulary - Find the meaning for the following words in this chapter: - reluctantly, sullen, eluded, imploringly, gallant.

2. How do you think Soda and Darry are feeling about Ponyboy being gone?

3. Examine Robert Frost's poem, ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’.  What do you think the poem is saying?  What do you think this poem means to Johnny and Ponyboy?

Chapter Six

1. Vocabulary - Find the meaning for the following word in this chapter: - bewildered.

2. Do you think Dally's parents have influenced the way he is; his personality?  (p68) Explain.

3. Why doesn't Dally want Johnny to turn himself in? (p68)

4. What "other side" of Dallas is revealed in this chapter? (p69)

5. What's your own definition of a hero?  Do the three boys prove themselves to be heroes, according to your definition?  Explain.

Chapter Seven

1. Why would Two-Bit think Johnny, Dally, and Ponyboy were heroes all along; before they saved the kids? (p82)

2. What does Randy tell the newspapers about the fight in the park and the death of Bob? (p82-83)

3. What is Randy trying to make Ponyboy understand during their conversation before the rumble? (p89-90)

4. What was Bob's 'real' problem, according to Randy (p88-89)?

Chapter Eight

1. How does what the doctor first says, on page 91, foreshadow (indicate) Johnny's condition?

2. "We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang.  And for the same reason" (p 92). What do you think Ponyboy means, and what is the reason?

3. If Darry didn't have Soda and Ponyboy, why would he be a soc? (page 96)

Chapter Nine

1. Why do the boys fight?  Why is Pony different?

2. What is the difference between Tim Sheppard's gang and Ponyboy's?  (page 105) Explain how Ponyboy feels this difference might give his group the upper hand (advantage)?

3. What does the rumble between the Greasers and the Socs accomplish?

4. What advice does Dally give Ponyboy on the way to the hospital?

5. What do you think Johnny's last words to Ponyboy mean? (revisit page 60)

Chapter Ten

1. Why was Johnny dying so difficult for Dally to handle? (page 115)

2. Why do you think Dally would have wanted to die?

3. What happens to Ponyboy? (page 118-119)

Chapter Eleven

1. Vocabulary - Find the meaning for the following word in this chapter: - acquitted.

2. After studying the picture in the yearbook, and really thinking about Bob, what conclusions did Ponyboy draw about Bob? (p122)

3. What reaction did Ponyboy have when Randy told him about what had happened to Bob and Johnny? Why do you think Ponyboy reacted this way? (p125)

Chapter Twelve

1. What happened at the hearing?

2. Why doesn't Ponyboy feel scared when the socs approach him and he threatens them with a broken bottle (p130)? How is this a dramatic change from the Ponyboy we have seen up until this point?

3. Two-Bit responds with, “Ponyboy, listen, don’t get tough. You’re not like the rest of us and don’t try to be.” What do you think he means by this comment?

4. Explain how Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda.

5. What does Ponyboy end up doing for his English assignment?

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Name ______________________________ Due Date ________________________

Task Complete the questions below in full sentences. Label your answers clearly, using the chapter and question number.

Assessment This contributes to 20% of your term’s grade. You will be assessed on the depth of your understanding and accuracy in writing.

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