Thursday, May 24, 2007

Chapter 12 Questions

1. What 'circumstances' do Ponyboy's teacher refer to? What circumstances does Ponyboy think his teacher is referring to?
The teacher is telling him that if he doesn't do good on this assignment he might be held back a year. Ponyboy thought that his teacher meant that how he wasn't at school a lot.


2. Why doesn't Ponyboy feel scared when the socs approach him and he threatens them with a broken bottle (p.170-171)? How is this a dramatic change from the Ponyboy we have seen up until this point?
Ponyboy isn't scared because throughout the whole book he has been through a lot and seen a lot and he knew how to stick up for himself more now than ever. Before Ponyboy had no clue what to do.


3. What does Darry mean when he says, "you don't just stop living because you lose someone" (p.173)?
He means that even though they lost 2 best friends doesn't mean you just stop living your life also, you have to carry on.

4. How do we know Sandy didn't love Soda as much as he loved her?
We know that Soda loved Sandy more than she loved him because when he proposed to her she didn't accept because she wasn't ready but Sodapop was.


5. Explain how Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda.
Darry and Ponyboy play tug of war with Soda by making him choose a side when they are arguing about something like when Pony came home late from the lot and Darry slapped him then Darry told Soda not to stick up for him brother.


6. What do we learn was so special about Johnny (p.178)?
We learn that Johnny cares so much about others because in his letter to Ponyboy he tells him that it was worth dying for the kids in the fire they have more to live for than he does.


7. What does Ponyboy end up doing for his English assignment?
Ponyboy ends up writing his english assignment on the story of the whole book because the beginning of the book is the same as the beginning of his assignment.

Chapter 11 Questions

Vocabulary: Find the meaning of the following word from the chapter and use it in a sentence correctly.


acquitted- a relieve from a charge or crime


After he served his jail time he was acquitted.

1. Explain why Pony might rather have anyone's hate than their pity (p.162)?
Pony would rather have people hate him instead of their pity because of when Johnny killed Bob he wouldn't want Bob's friends to pity him, since he didn't kill him.

2. What do you think is going on with Ponyboy when he says, "Johnny didn't have anything to do with Bob's getting killed" (p.166)?
I think that Ponyboy is thinking that it is his fault that Bob died not Johnny because if Bob didn't try to kill Pony Johnny wouldn't have killed Bob. I think he is also blamming himself for Johnny's death because since he thinks that he killed Bob they wouldn't have had to run away so he thinks that this whole thing is all him fault.

Chapter 10 Questions

Vocabulary: Find the meaning of the following word from the chapter and use it in a sentence correctly.


indignantly - to be mad at something wrong


The one man was watching the news one morning and after the top story he was very indignant.

1. How does Pony's dreaming, or lying to himself, finally work in this chapter?
Pony's lying to himself works at the end of this chapter because when Sodapop goes and lies beside Poyn he falls asleep right away. If he hadn't been lying he would have been worrying about it.


2. Johnny's dying so difficult for Dally to handle?
Johnny's dying was difficult for Dally to handle because Johnny was the only thing Dally loved and now he had nothing to love or care for.


3. Why do you think Dally would have wanted to die?
Dally would have wanted to die because he had not family and nobody to love for since Jphnny died so why else would he want to live if he had nothing to care about.

Chapter 9 Questions

1. On the bottom of p.133, when Pony asks what kind of a world it is, what comment is he making about how society judges people?
When Pony asks what kind of world it is he means that now that he thought about it all the greasers have to be proud of and being a hood.


2. Why do the boys fight? Why is Pony different?
The boys fight for their own enjoyment and they find it fun. Pony is different because he doesn'r fight for fun like the other boys he only fights if it is important or to protect himself.


3. What is the difference between Tim Sheppard's gang and Ponyboy's? Explain how Pony feels this difference might give his group the upper hand?
The difference between Tim Shepard's gang and Ponyboy's is that Tim's gang has more people that are bigger and Ponyboy's gang has less people that are smaller.


4. What do you think Johnny's last words to Pony mean?
I think Johnny's last words to Ponyboy "stay gold" means not to change the way he is and be careful if any danger might come and not to change because he is gone.

Chapter 8 Questions

1. How does what the doctor first says, on page 119, foreshadow Johnny's condition? This means that the doctor knew he was dying so it wouldn't hurt anything if he saw his friends for the last time. It would be better to make him feel better


2. "We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason" (p.121). What do you think Pony means, and what is the reason?
I think that Pony means that the gang won't be the same with out Johnny and that he was a big part of the gang since he was Pony's best friend.

3. What does Pony mean on p. 123 when he says, "we could get along without anyone but Johnny"?
This means that when Johnny is around they get along with more people than they get along with without him.


4. If Darry didn't have Soda and Pony, why would he be a soc?
He would be a soc because he plays on the football team, and because he was really good friends with Paul who is a soc.

5. What does Cherry mean when she says Bob "wasn't just anyone" on p.129?
Cherry means that he wasn't the same as anyone else, he had something about him that made people like him and want to be like him, that's why he wasn't just anyone.

Chapter 7 Questions

1. Explain what Pony means when he says Soda "reminds me of a colt" on p. 101.
When Ponyboy says that Soda reminds him of a colt he means that he always has to be nosey and know everything that is going on.

2. What condition is Johnny in after the fire?
Johnny's condition after the fire was very severe becaus ehe had a broken back, burn, and a severe shock.

3. Why would being crippled be worse for Johnny than someone else?
Being crippled would be worse for Johnny because Johnny doesn't have anybody at home to help him when he is sick because he may not be capable of doing some things by himself.

4. "Maybe people are younger when they are asleep" (p.104). what do you think about this comment?
I think that people look younger when they are asleep because they are not worrying or thinking about anything; relaxed.

5. What is a juvenile delinquent (p. 107)? Find a definition on the internet, in a dictionary, or create your own based on your own knowledge.
Internet-a minor who can not be controlled by parental authority and commits antisocial or criminal acts, as vandalism or violence
Dictionary- a youth who is immature
My definition-a child or teen who isn't controlled by a guardian and commits illegal actions

6. Why would Two-Bit think Johnny, Dally, and Pony were heroes all along; before they saved the kids?
Two-Bit thought that Johnny, Dally and Ponyboy were heroes all along before they saved the kids because Johnny saved his best friend without thinking of himself and Dally came and helped them when they were in life threatening situations

7. What was Bob's 'real' problem, according to Randy (p.116)?
Bob's real problem according to Randy was that he never got punished by his parents for anything he wasn't supposed to so, he acted up all of the time and he would never get it trouble for it so he just continued and never thought his actions were a bad thing.
8. Why did Pony think it was better to see socs as "just guys" on p. 118? What do you think he means by this?
Ponyboy means that they are also just guys, they are just the same as the greasers so don't treat them any different then you would treat your friends.

Chapter 6 Questions

Vocabulary: Find the meaning of the following word from this chapter and use it in a sentence correctly.


bewildered-to be puzzeled or confused

The girl was very bewildered of her math test.

1. Do you think Dally's parents have influenced the way he is; his personality? Explain.Yes, I think that Dally's parents have influenced the way he is because since his parents are dead they aren't there to lead him in the right direction and keep him out of trouble.

2. Why doesn't Dally want Johnny to turn himself in? Dally doesn't want Johnny to turn himself in because he has helped him this much already and he doesn't want his help to go to waste and he doesn't want Johnny to go thoough with jail because Dally knows what it fells like.

3. What "other side" of Dallas is revealed in this chapter? The other side of Dally that is revealed in this chapter is his side that cares for others and is a true hero inside. He shpwed this by saving the children in the burning church and if it wasn't for him lots of kids wouldn't have been saved from that fire.

4. What's your own definition of a hero? Do the three boys prove themselves to be heroes, according to your definition? Explain. I think that a hero is a person who goes out of they're way to help someone in need. Yes, I think that the boys proved themselves to be heroes because when there were the children in the urning church they didn't stop and think about they're own safety they just went to help the kids.

5. Why do you think Johnny wasn't scared, despite the obvious danger, on page 92?
I think Johhny wasn't scared because he has gone through worse things in his life and he didn't want them to suffer through anything as bad.

Chapter 5 Questions

Vocabulary: Find the meaning for the following words and write one paragraph that uses all 6 words correctly.


reluctantly- unwilling to do something


sullen- to show irritation


eluded- to avoid or escape something with speed


imploringly- to beg urgently


gallant- to be brave


indignant- feeling or showing strong displeasure in something

1. Why does Pony have a problem with Johnny's idea to disguise themselves?
Pony boy has a problem with Johnny's idea because he likes his hair the way it is.
2. What does Pony mean when he says, "I was supposed to be the deep one" (p. 75)?
Ponyboy means that he was usally the emotional one but in this situation Johnny was the emotional one.


3. Why does Johnny think he is a hero (p. 76)? Do you think Dally is a hero based on what he did?
Johnny thinks that he is a hero because if Dally didn' give them the gun and money, if they got in a fight they would have nothing to fight back with to protect them. I do not think Dally is a hero for what he did because if he didn't give them the money and gun they would be forced to turn themselves in and their punishment would be easy to take then running away and having a gun.


4. Why does Pony realize he doesn't like Dally? Can you explain what he means by this?
Ponyboy realizes that he doesn't like Dally because


5. Examine Robert Frost's poem, Nothing Gold can Stay. What do you think the poem is saying? How might this apply to the characters in the novel?
I think the poem is saying that everyone has their highs and lows but the best times never stay only the bad. This might apply to Johnny in this novel because Johnny used to be all quiet and never acted up, but then when his friends was in trouble he saved him by stabing someone else.


6. On page 78, Johnny compares Pony and his brothers to their parents. Which one of your parents are you most like? What similarities do you share?
I think that I am most like my mom because people always tell my mom and I we look alike. I am also like my mom because we have the same interests.

7. What does Pony mean when he says he drinks Pepsis like a fiend (p.78)?
When Ponyboy says that he drinks Pepsi like a fiend he means tht he drinks it so much because he is addicted to it.

8. What's a 'heater'? Why does Dally have one?
A heater is a gun, Dally has one because if there is an emergency when there is a big rumble he is prepared.

9. Why are the socs and the greasers going to fight in the vacant lot?
The Socs and Greasers are going to fight in the vacant lot because Johnny killed Bob when Johnny tried to save Pony from drowning.

10. Who's the spy for the greasers? Does this surprise you? Why or why not?
The spy for the greasers is Cherry, this doesn't suprise me because she is good friends with Ponyboy so she would tell him what the socs are planning so he doesn't get hurt.

Chapter 4 Questions

Vocabulary: Find the meaning for the following words in this chapter and write one paragraph that uses all 3 words correctly.


ruefully- to cause, feel, or show sorrow


hermit- person who has withdrawn from society and lives a alone existence


premonition- a feeling of antisipation for a coming event

There was a new family moving into a home and they were very hermit to the other families. THe other neighbours were feeling very ruefully for them so they decided to invite them to the annual street barbeque. When the family found out they were feeling premonition for weeks to come.

1. What does Pony mean when he says the socs were "reeling pickled" on page 54?
Pony means that the socs looked unsure of what to do next because they were drunk.

2. What major event happens in this chapter?
The major event that happened in this chapter is that the Socs jumped Pony and Johnny and tried to drown Ponyboy but killed Bob so he could save his best friend.

3. How did the author foreshadow that Johnny would use his knife in Chapter 2?
The author foreshadowed that Johnny would use his knife is that it said that if he ever got jumped he would use it for his own protection.

4. What would your advice be to Johhny and Ponyboy if they'd come to you for help instead of Dally? Explain.
If Ponyboy and Johnny came to me for help instead of Johnny I would tell them to turn themselves in because if they did instead of having the police looking for them they're punishment wouldn't as bad of a punishment like less time in jail.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Chapter 3 Questions

Vocabulary - Find the meaning for the following words in this chapter and write one paragraph that uses all 4 words correctly:

aloof-keeping distance from people because of shyness

impersonally-without connetion to a specific person

ornery- unpleasant or stubborn

resignedly-giving into something

One day there is a new boy at school and he is being aloof to his new classmates. Another new student was resignedly to some of the students behaviours. The students who got in trouble were being very ornery with the principal about their punishments. The new boy was impersonally to this situation.

1. What does Cherry explain as the difference between the socs and the greasers?
Cherry says that the difference between the socs and the greasers are their values and partly money.Greasers are more emotional and the socs are more sophisticated and nothing is real to them.

2. What does Ponyboy mean on p. 39 when he says "Johnny and I understood each other without saying anything"? Have you ever had a relationship with someone who you understood, or who understood you, without having to say anything?
Ponyboy means that him and Johnny are both quiet so they don't have to talk about anything they just know what they are thinking.Yes, I have had a relationship with someone and understanding them without saying anything, because we just know what they are thinking because we know eachother so well.

3. When and how did Pony's parents die?
Ponyboy's parents died in a car accident 8 months prior to the present time he is talking about.

4. What happens when Pony comes home after his curfew?
When Pony copmes home after his curfew Darry and Sodapop are awake at home and Ponyboy walked in the door. When Darry saw him he hit Ponyboy then Pony just turned around and left very upset. Then Darry opened the door and calle Pony back but he didn't come back.

5. Why does Johnny like it better when his father is hitting him?
Johnny likes it better when his father hits him because he knows his father knows who he is.

6. At the end of the chapter, how does the author foreshadow that bad things are to come?
The author foreshadowed that bad things are going to happen because at the end of the chapter Pony boy is thinking that things can't get anyworse, but he was wrong.

Chapter 2 Questions

Vocabulary - Find the meaning for the following words in this chapter and write one paragraph that uses all 3 words correctly:


Incredulous- to show disbelief

Vaguely- not clearly show or displayed

Nonchalantly-seeming to be calm and unconcerned

At the soccer game its was the girl's first game and seemed she very nonchalantly about the game. In the first half she played very vaguely. Then in the second half she scored a goal, and her teammates and coach were very incredulous.

1. Who is the fuzz?
The fuzz are the police.


2. Are the names Ponyboy and Sodapop nicknames? Explain.
No the names Ponyboy and Sodapop are not nicknames they are they're real name because when they are at the movies with Cherry and Marcia they ask if Ponyboy is his real name and he said it was and that it said Sodapop on Sodapop's birth certificate.


3. Who are Cherry and Marcia?
Cherry and Marcia are the two girls that Ponyboy and Johnny meet at the drive-in on the Friday night.


4. Why doesn't Ponyboy like referring to Sodapop as a dropout?
Ponyboy doesn't like to refer to Sodapop as a dropout because Ponyboy is so 'brainy' and he is disappointed that Soda doesn't go to school.

5. What is Ponyboy comparing Two-Bit to when he calls him a "chessy cat" on page 27? What figure of speech is this besides a simile?
This means that he was smiling widely and excitedly.

6. What is "a weed" slang for in 1967?
A weed is slang for a cigarette in 1967.

7. Why does Dally look sick now (p. 33)?
Dally looked scared looked scared now because he had seen people get killed before but this time they were coming to hurt them, not somebody else.

8. What literary device does the author use to describe Johnny's mugging (pgs. 31-34)?

The literary device the author uses to describe Johnny's mugging is character and tone.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Chapter 1 Questions

1. Describe each of the characters in this chapter and their relationship with one another.
Ponyboy
-is the narrator of the story.
-he has long light brown hair and greenish grey eyes.
-brothers with Sodapop and Darry.
-small for his age
-loves Sodapop more than Darry

Sodapop (Soda)
-16 years old
-different than everyone else in gang
-always smiling
-dropped out of highschool

Steve Randle
-soda's best buddy
-17, tall, thick greasy hair, smart
-Soda's buddy since grade school
-specialty was cars

Darrel (Darry)
-dark gold hair, dark brown eyes
-Sodapop and Ponyboy's brother

Dallas WInston (Dally)
-elfish face, high cheekbones, and pointed chin
-long blond hair, blue eyes
-arrested at age of ten in New York

Keith Matthews (Two-Bit)
-oldest of the gang
-6 feet tall, stocky build
-grey eyes, wide grin
-famous for shop-lifting
-liked fights, and school(junior at 18)

Johnny Cade (Johnnycake)
-youngest next to Ponyboy
-black eyes, tanned face, jet black hair
-small
-father always beating him up, mother ignored him

2. Who are the Socs? Who are the Greasers?
The Socs is short for socials and they are the "cool" ones from the west side that always jump the greasers for fun. The Greasers are the "losers" from the east side in the poor side of town.

3. How do Ponyboy's relationships with Darry and Sodapop differ? Explain.
Ponyboy's relationship with Sodapop and Darry are very different because Sodapop understands Ponyboy and they get along while Ponyboy and Darry are always getting into arguments.

4. Why is the 'gang' important to Johnny?
The gang is important to Johnny because his home life was not good he was always getting beatin by his father and his mother ignored him. If it wasn't for the gang he would have ran away.

5. How does Ponyboy react to what Sodapop tells him about Darry?
Ponyboy is suprised about what Sodapop told him that night because he thought Darry was actually mad at him sometimes, but he was just over reacting.

6. Do you think Darry loves Ponyboy? Why does he treat Ponyboy the way he does?
I think Darry does love Ponyboy, its just that he doesn't know how to show it. He treats Ponyboy the way he does because Sodapop gets better grades than Ponyboy and because I think that he doesn't know how to show that he loves him.

7. What does Ponyboy mean on page 18 when he says, "I lie to myself all the time"? Do you ever lie to yourself? Why?

Ponyboy means that he knows what the truth is he just would hate to admit it to others and himself.
I think I have lied to myself because when have a bad day I know it didn't go well but i don't want to talk about it with other people. People do this because they are afraid that they will get upset by other people knowing.