"The Outsiders"
By: S. E. Hinton
Comprehension Questions
Chapters 1-4
Chapter 1:
1. Who is the narrator of The Outsiders?
The narrator of "The Outsiders" is Ponyboy, who is fourteen. He is the youngest of three brothers. Ponyboy's parents died in a car accident.
2. What two groups of teenagers does Ponyboy describe? Compare the two groups.
The two groups of teenagers Ponyboy describes are the Socs and the Greasers. The Socs, or the Socials, are middle class. They have more money than the Greasers. They are the West Side rich kids. They ride Mustangs and Corvairs. The Greasers live on the East Side. They don't have nice cars. They steal. They are considered low lifes. They are definitely poorer than the Socs. They come from difficult homes.
3. Why did the Socs beat up Ponyboy?
Ponyboy is walking home alone from the movies. The Socs beat him up because Ponyboy is a Greaser and is alone. He is also one of the younger ones of the Greasers. Ponyboy is also tiny or small. Ponyboy is an easy target to the Socs.
4. Why did Ponyboy have a hard time with his oldest brother?
Darrel is Ponyboy's oldest brother. Nothing is ever good enough for Darry. Darry is basically the parental unit of the family. Whatever Darry says goes. He is very hard at Ponyboy. He has high expectations for Ponyboy. Darry wants more from Ponyboy than he has. He has high expectations for Ponyboy because he is smart. Darry doesn't Ponyboy to have the sad life that he has.
5. How are Ponyboy and his friends like you? Different than you?
Steve Randle is seventeen. He works at the gas station with Sodapop. He thing is cars. He is amazing with cars. Steve is Soda's best friend and doesn't like Ponyboy. He thinks Ponyboy is a tag-along. Two-bit Mathews' real name is Keith. He is eighteen. He is the oldest person in the gang besides Darry. He is a junior in high school. He is called Two-bit Mathews because he always comments and has something to say. Dallas Winston is another person in the gang. Dallas is the toughest and is from New York. He is wild. His nickname is Dally. He also has a rap sheet with the police. A rap sheet is a list of things that you have done that are against the law. They are crimes. Johnny Cade is the pet of the gang. He is the youngest person in the gang. Sodapop is seventeen. He works at the gas station. He protects and looks after Ponyboy. He is also the most handsome person in the gang. Ponyboy gets good grades, just like me. All of them are different than me because I don't live in such a bad neighborhood.
6. Why do you think the author uses non-standard English?
The author wants the reader to relate and go into Ponyboy's frame of mind.
7. “Greaser” is first used in the first paragraph on page one. How far must you read before you have a good idea of who or what a greaser is? (Reading to the end of a sentence, paragraph, page, or further is one strategy to use when you find a word you don’t know.)
The Greasers live on the East Side. They don't have nice cars. They steal. They are considered low lifes. They are definitely poorer than the Socs. They come from difficult homes.
Chapter 2:
1. Where do the Socs and Greasers hand out? What do they do for fun?
The Socs and the Greasers hang out at the drive-in and see the Nightly Doubles.
2. How do the Greasers learn more about the Socs?
By talking with Cherry and Marcia, they learn more about the Socs. The Socs are no different than the Greasers.
3. What kind of rules do gang members follow in fights?
If it is just punch or hitting, it is a fair fight. But, if someone brings out a weapon, it is not a fair fight, it is a rough fight. They also say it is a fair fight if it is one on one.
4. How could Cherry be a problem for Dally?
Cherry might get him in trouble with the cops or with other Socs. He could go to the police or jail again.
5. Why do you think Johnny spoke up to Dally?
Johnny spoke up to Dally because he liked the girls. Part of it is that the girls haven't done anything wrong. Also, Johnny is kind of putting Dally in his place. He knows he'll win.
6. Why didn’t Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally pay to get into the drive-in movie?
Dally is a rule breaker. Dally is a rebel. Dally doesn't like doing things legally.
7. What is Cherry’s real name? Why is she called Cherry?
Cherry's real name is Sherri. She is called Cherry because of her red hair.
8. What did Cherry do when Dally brought her a Coke?
Cherry throws the Coke on Dally's face. She throws it to Dally because Dally is being a jerk and is annoying them.
9. Give three reasons why Cherry and Marcia are not scared of Johnny and Ponyboy even though, like Dally, they are Greasers.
Their attitude is good. They are kind. They are a little more polite. Another reason is that they look young and innocent. They are not dirty.
10. What are two rules Greasers have for themselves?
The first rule is to stick together. The second rule is don't get caught.
11. How did Johnny get beaten up?
Johnny is looking for the football so he could practice football. Then, a Mustang pulls up with four Socs in it. The four Socs then beat up Johnny.
12. What did Cherry mean when she said, “Things are rough all over”?
Cherry means that everybody has problems. Everyone has problems. No matter who you are, everyone has problems.
Chapter 3:
1. Why do you think Ponyboy and Cherry become good friends?
Ponyboy and Cherry become good friends because they can both talk to each other. They are honest to each other. They are polite. They have smart conversations. They are both very open to one another.
2. Do the characters in this book seem “real”? Why or why not? How does Hinton try to make them believable?
The characters in this book seem "real". This can be believable. Some of the characters have stuff that is going on with real kids. Some kids have single parents, some kids have drunk parents, some kids have no parents. Hinton makes them believable by giving real life scenarios.
3. Why did Cherry and Marcia leave their dates?
Cherry and Marcia left Ponyboy, Johnny, and Two-Bit because she is trying to stop them from fighting. Cherry doesn't want them to fight against the Socs. She hates fights. Cherry and Marcia are protecting Ponyboy, Johnny, and Two-Bit from the Socs.
4. Why do you think Darry hit Ponyboy?
Darry hit Ponyboy because Ponyboy came home late. Ponyboy is supposed to be home by a specific time. Another reason is the fact that Ponyboy stood up for Sodapop. When Ponyboy starts to defend Sodapop, Darry gets mad and hits Ponyboy.
5. Why do you think Ponyboy and Cherry told each other things they had never told anyone else before?
Ponyboy and Cherry told each other things they had never told anyone else before because they trust each other. The can relate to each other. They are identifying each other. There is a sense of trust between the two of them.
6. Do you agree with Johnny that having friends care for you is not the same as having your own folks care about you? Why or why not?
I agree with Johnny. When you are in a family, your family are always going to be there. It is an unbreakable bond. Your family stays with you throughout your entire life. But, friends sort of come and go. They are not always with you throughout your entire life.
7. What did Cherry say was the main difference between the Socs and the Greasers?
Cherry says that Greasers have a different set of values. She says Greasers are emotional. She then says that Socs are sophisticated.
8. What was the name of Sodapop’s horse? What happened to Soda’s horse?
The name of Sodapop's horse was Mickey Mouse. Soda's horse was sold
9. Why did Ponyboy think that maybe his world and Cherry’s weren’t so different?
They go through the same times and watch the same sunset.
10. Why did Johnny stare at the rings on the Soc’s hand?
Johnny stares at the rings on the Soc's hand because he can assume that it was the same person who beat up Johnny. One Soc had rings on his hand to beat up Johnny.
11. Why did Cherry and Marcia let their drunken boyfriends drive them home?
Cherry and Marcia let their drunken boyfriends drive them home because they are avoiding a fight and don't want to get in trouble.
12. What was the last thing Cherry says to Ponyboy before she leaves in the car?
The last thing Cherry says to Ponyboy before she leaves in the car is that she could fall in love with Dally.
13. How long has it been since Ponyboy’s parents were killed?
It has been eight months since Ponyboy's parents were killed.
14. Why was Ponyboy late getting home?
Ponyboy was late getting home because he fell asleep in the vacant lot with Johnny.
Chapter 4:
1. Who (Greasers or Socs) do you think was wrong in this situation in this chapter?
The Socs were wrong for coming into Greaser territory, and the Greasers were wrong in stabbing Bob, or for how they retaliated.
2. If you had been one of the Socs how would you have felt after Bob was stabbed? If you had been one of the Greasers, how would you have felt after Bob was stabbed? What causes the difference?
If I was one of the Socs, I would be scared. At the same time I would be mad and angry. If I was one of the Greasers, I would be scared. The Greasers would have been scared of the consequences.
3. Why did Ponyboy turn to Dally for help?
Ponyboy turned to Dally for help because Dally could do anything. Also, Dally has been in situations like the one Johnny and Ponyboy are in. Also, Dally is older and could give advice to Johnny and Ponyboy.
4. What does Bob say a Greaser is?
Bob said that a Greaser was white trash with long hair.
5. What do the Socs do to Ponyboy?
The Socs try to drown Ponyboy in the nearby fountain.
6. What does Ponyboy see when he recovers consciousness?
Ponyboy sees Johnny with his elbow on his knee. He sees that Johnny has killed Bob who was drowning Ponyboy in the fountain. Johnny stabbed him.
7. Why did Johnny attack Bob?
Johnny attacked Bob because Bob was drowning Ponyboy. He did it to stop Bob.
8. Where do Johnny and Ponyboy go when the leave the park?
Johnny and Ponyboy go to find Dally at Buck Merill's house.
9. What does Dally give Johnny and Ponyboy?
Dally gives Johnny and Ponyboy a gun, fifty dollars, and a new shirt for Ponyboy. He also gives them his jeans jacket.
10. Where does Dally tell them to go?
Dally tells them to go to a church on Jay Mountain as a hideout.
11. How do they get there?
They get there by train.
12. How do they find the church?
They ask a farmer.
1. Who is the narrator of The Outsiders?
The narrator of "The Outsiders" is Ponyboy, who is fourteen. He is the youngest of three brothers. Ponyboy's parents died in a car accident.
2. What two groups of teenagers does Ponyboy describe? Compare the two groups.
The two groups of teenagers Ponyboy describes are the Socs and the Greasers. The Socs, or the Socials, are middle class. They have more money than the Greasers. They are the West Side rich kids. They ride Mustangs and Corvairs. The Greasers live on the East Side. They don't have nice cars. They steal. They are considered low lifes. They are definitely poorer than the Socs. They come from difficult homes.
3. Why did the Socs beat up Ponyboy?
Ponyboy is walking home alone from the movies. The Socs beat him up because Ponyboy is a Greaser and is alone. He is also one of the younger ones of the Greasers. Ponyboy is also tiny or small. Ponyboy is an easy target to the Socs.
4. Why did Ponyboy have a hard time with his oldest brother?
Darrel is Ponyboy's oldest brother. Nothing is ever good enough for Darry. Darry is basically the parental unit of the family. Whatever Darry says goes. He is very hard at Ponyboy. He has high expectations for Ponyboy. Darry wants more from Ponyboy than he has. He has high expectations for Ponyboy because he is smart. Darry doesn't Ponyboy to have the sad life that he has.
5. How are Ponyboy and his friends like you? Different than you?
Steve Randle is seventeen. He works at the gas station with Sodapop. He thing is cars. He is amazing with cars. Steve is Soda's best friend and doesn't like Ponyboy. He thinks Ponyboy is a tag-along. Two-bit Mathews' real name is Keith. He is eighteen. He is the oldest person in the gang besides Darry. He is a junior in high school. He is called Two-bit Mathews because he always comments and has something to say. Dallas Winston is another person in the gang. Dallas is the toughest and is from New York. He is wild. His nickname is Dally. He also has a rap sheet with the police. A rap sheet is a list of things that you have done that are against the law. They are crimes. Johnny Cade is the pet of the gang. He is the youngest person in the gang. Sodapop is seventeen. He works at the gas station. He protects and looks after Ponyboy. He is also the most handsome person in the gang. Ponyboy gets good grades, just like me. All of them are different than me because I don't live in such a bad neighborhood.
6. Why do you think the author uses non-standard English?
The author wants the reader to relate and go into Ponyboy's frame of mind.
7. “Greaser” is first used in the first paragraph on page one. How far must you read before you have a good idea of who or what a greaser is? (Reading to the end of a sentence, paragraph, page, or further is one strategy to use when you find a word you don’t know.)
The Greasers live on the East Side. They don't have nice cars. They steal. They are considered low lifes. They are definitely poorer than the Socs. They come from difficult homes.
Chapter 2:
1. Where do the Socs and Greasers hand out? What do they do for fun?
The Socs and the Greasers hang out at the drive-in and see the Nightly Doubles.
2. How do the Greasers learn more about the Socs?
By talking with Cherry and Marcia, they learn more about the Socs. The Socs are no different than the Greasers.
3. What kind of rules do gang members follow in fights?
If it is just punch or hitting, it is a fair fight. But, if someone brings out a weapon, it is not a fair fight, it is a rough fight. They also say it is a fair fight if it is one on one.
4. How could Cherry be a problem for Dally?
Cherry might get him in trouble with the cops or with other Socs. He could go to the police or jail again.
5. Why do you think Johnny spoke up to Dally?
Johnny spoke up to Dally because he liked the girls. Part of it is that the girls haven't done anything wrong. Also, Johnny is kind of putting Dally in his place. He knows he'll win.
6. Why didn’t Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally pay to get into the drive-in movie?
Dally is a rule breaker. Dally is a rebel. Dally doesn't like doing things legally.
7. What is Cherry’s real name? Why is she called Cherry?
Cherry's real name is Sherri. She is called Cherry because of her red hair.
8. What did Cherry do when Dally brought her a Coke?
Cherry throws the Coke on Dally's face. She throws it to Dally because Dally is being a jerk and is annoying them.
9. Give three reasons why Cherry and Marcia are not scared of Johnny and Ponyboy even though, like Dally, they are Greasers.
Their attitude is good. They are kind. They are a little more polite. Another reason is that they look young and innocent. They are not dirty.
10. What are two rules Greasers have for themselves?
The first rule is to stick together. The second rule is don't get caught.
11. How did Johnny get beaten up?
Johnny is looking for the football so he could practice football. Then, a Mustang pulls up with four Socs in it. The four Socs then beat up Johnny.
12. What did Cherry mean when she said, “Things are rough all over”?
Cherry means that everybody has problems. Everyone has problems. No matter who you are, everyone has problems.
Chapter 3:
1. Why do you think Ponyboy and Cherry become good friends?
Ponyboy and Cherry become good friends because they can both talk to each other. They are honest to each other. They are polite. They have smart conversations. They are both very open to one another.
2. Do the characters in this book seem “real”? Why or why not? How does Hinton try to make them believable?
The characters in this book seem "real". This can be believable. Some of the characters have stuff that is going on with real kids. Some kids have single parents, some kids have drunk parents, some kids have no parents. Hinton makes them believable by giving real life scenarios.
3. Why did Cherry and Marcia leave their dates?
Cherry and Marcia left Ponyboy, Johnny, and Two-Bit because she is trying to stop them from fighting. Cherry doesn't want them to fight against the Socs. She hates fights. Cherry and Marcia are protecting Ponyboy, Johnny, and Two-Bit from the Socs.
4. Why do you think Darry hit Ponyboy?
Darry hit Ponyboy because Ponyboy came home late. Ponyboy is supposed to be home by a specific time. Another reason is the fact that Ponyboy stood up for Sodapop. When Ponyboy starts to defend Sodapop, Darry gets mad and hits Ponyboy.
5. Why do you think Ponyboy and Cherry told each other things they had never told anyone else before?
Ponyboy and Cherry told each other things they had never told anyone else before because they trust each other. The can relate to each other. They are identifying each other. There is a sense of trust between the two of them.
6. Do you agree with Johnny that having friends care for you is not the same as having your own folks care about you? Why or why not?
I agree with Johnny. When you are in a family, your family are always going to be there. It is an unbreakable bond. Your family stays with you throughout your entire life. But, friends sort of come and go. They are not always with you throughout your entire life.
7. What did Cherry say was the main difference between the Socs and the Greasers?
Cherry says that Greasers have a different set of values. She says Greasers are emotional. She then says that Socs are sophisticated.
8. What was the name of Sodapop’s horse? What happened to Soda’s horse?
The name of Sodapop's horse was Mickey Mouse. Soda's horse was sold
9. Why did Ponyboy think that maybe his world and Cherry’s weren’t so different?
They go through the same times and watch the same sunset.
10. Why did Johnny stare at the rings on the Soc’s hand?
Johnny stares at the rings on the Soc's hand because he can assume that it was the same person who beat up Johnny. One Soc had rings on his hand to beat up Johnny.
11. Why did Cherry and Marcia let their drunken boyfriends drive them home?
Cherry and Marcia let their drunken boyfriends drive them home because they are avoiding a fight and don't want to get in trouble.
12. What was the last thing Cherry says to Ponyboy before she leaves in the car?
The last thing Cherry says to Ponyboy before she leaves in the car is that she could fall in love with Dally.
13. How long has it been since Ponyboy’s parents were killed?
It has been eight months since Ponyboy's parents were killed.
14. Why was Ponyboy late getting home?
Ponyboy was late getting home because he fell asleep in the vacant lot with Johnny.
Chapter 4:
1. Who (Greasers or Socs) do you think was wrong in this situation in this chapter?
The Socs were wrong for coming into Greaser territory, and the Greasers were wrong in stabbing Bob, or for how they retaliated.
2. If you had been one of the Socs how would you have felt after Bob was stabbed? If you had been one of the Greasers, how would you have felt after Bob was stabbed? What causes the difference?
If I was one of the Socs, I would be scared. At the same time I would be mad and angry. If I was one of the Greasers, I would be scared. The Greasers would have been scared of the consequences.
3. Why did Ponyboy turn to Dally for help?
Ponyboy turned to Dally for help because Dally could do anything. Also, Dally has been in situations like the one Johnny and Ponyboy are in. Also, Dally is older and could give advice to Johnny and Ponyboy.
4. What does Bob say a Greaser is?
Bob said that a Greaser was white trash with long hair.
5. What do the Socs do to Ponyboy?
The Socs try to drown Ponyboy in the nearby fountain.
6. What does Ponyboy see when he recovers consciousness?
Ponyboy sees Johnny with his elbow on his knee. He sees that Johnny has killed Bob who was drowning Ponyboy in the fountain. Johnny stabbed him.
7. Why did Johnny attack Bob?
Johnny attacked Bob because Bob was drowning Ponyboy. He did it to stop Bob.
8. Where do Johnny and Ponyboy go when the leave the park?
Johnny and Ponyboy go to find Dally at Buck Merill's house.
9. What does Dally give Johnny and Ponyboy?
Dally gives Johnny and Ponyboy a gun, fifty dollars, and a new shirt for Ponyboy. He also gives them his jeans jacket.
10. Where does Dally tell them to go?
Dally tells them to go to a church on Jay Mountain as a hideout.
11. How do they get there?
They get there by train.
12. How do they find the church?
They ask a farmer.