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.
2. What two groups of teenagers does Ponyboy describe? Compare the two groups.
- The two groups that Ponyboy describes are the Greasers and the Socs. Socs is short for Socials and all the socials are west side rich kids, so they all own either mustangs or coveirs. Greasers live on the east side and sometimes have cars, but they aren't like the Socs. Greasers are considered low loves because they do not have any money and they steal, and they come from difficult homes.
3. Why did the Socs beat up Ponyboy?
- The Socs beat up Ponyboy because he was walking home from the movies alone. This gave the Socs an opportunity because he's younger and smaller.
4. Why did Ponyboy have a hard time with his oldest brother?
- Ponyboy's oldest brother, Darrel (Darry) always has high expectations for Ponyboy and is very hard on him. Nothing ever good enough for Darry, but he is the one in charge since their parents are not around.
5. How are Ponyboy and his friends like you? Different than you?
- Ponyboy and his friends are like me because they stay together like a pack and are always sticking up for one another. They are different from me because they are an actual gang and they get into fights that sometimes include switch blades, broken bottles, and other harmful objects.
6. Why do you think the author uses non-standard English?
- The author uses non-standard English because the kids in the book are in a gang, so she wants you to relate to Ponyboy. If it were in standard English, the story wouldn't be as authentic and relatable as it is.
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.)
You do not have to read that far until you learn about Greasers and how they live on the east side, sometimes have cars, that they steal, are considered low lives, do not have money, and come from difficult homes.
Chapter 2
1. Where do the Socs and Greasers hang out? What do they do for fun?
The Socs and Greasers hang out at drive-ins, more specifically the Nightly Double.
2. How do the Greasers learn more about the Socs?
The Greasers learn more about the Socs because they start talking to Sherri (Cherry) and Marcia, two of the Socs.
3. What kind of rules do gang members follow in fights?
Gang members think it's fair if its fist fighting but switch blades, pool sticks, and any other harmful object is considered rough.
4. How could Cherry be a problem for Dally?
If Dally keeps bothering Cherry, then she could just get him in trouble by telling other Socs and having him get beat up.
5. Why do you think Johnny spoke up to Dally?
Johnny spoke up to Dally because he likes the girls and knows that they haven't done anything wrong, so he put Dally in his place by telling him to stop.
6. Why didn’t Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally pay to get into the drive-in movie?
Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally all pay to get into the drive-in because they don't want to get in trouble for breaking the rules.
7. What is Cherry’s real name? Why is she called Cherry?
Cherry's real name is Sherri and she is called cherry because her hair is red.
8. What did Cherry do when Dally brought her a Coke?
Cherry threw the Coke at Dally's face because he was being a jerk. He was putting his feet on her chair, cussing, and being dirty.
9. Give three reasons why Cherry and Marcia are not scared of Johnny and Ponyboy even though, like Dally, they are Greasers.
Cherry and Marcia because one, they have a good attitude, two, they are protective, and three, they are not dirty like Dally and they are young.
10. What are two rules Greasers have for themselves?
The two rules that Greasers have are one, stick together and two, don't get caught.
11. How did Johnny get beaten up?
While Johnny was looking for his football to practice with, mustang pulled up and out came four Socs that beat up Johnny.
12. What did Cherry mean when she said, “Things are rough all over”?
Cherry meant that everyone has problems no matter who they are.
Chapter 3
1. Why do you think Ponyboy and Cherry become good friends?
Ponyboy and Cherry become good friends because they can talk to each other and and are open with each other.
2. Do the characters in this book seam “real”? Why or why not? How does try to make them believable?
The characters in this book seem real because like in the book, kids/teens in reality are abused, stay home alone a lot, have single parents, or have parents that are separated and this makes the people in the book seem relatable and believable.
3. Why did Cherry and Marcia leave their dates?
Cherry and Marcia left their dates because they were trying to prevent the fight that was about to happen between the boys and they didn't want to get in trouble themselves.
4. Why do you think Darry hit Ponyboy?
Darry hit Ponyboy because he came home late and defended Soda.
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 can trust each other and they are going through the same problems.
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?
Yes, I agree with Johnny because your family will always be there and when you have your family there is a sense of loyalty and commitment, but when it comes to friends, they just come and go.
7. What did Cherry say was the main difference between the Socs and the Greasers?
She said that Greasers have a different set of values, they are more emotional, and they are not sophisticated.
8. What was the name of Sodapop’s horse? What happened to Soda’s horse?
Sodapop's horse's name was Mickey Mouse and he was taken away because he was sold.
9. Why did Ponyboy think that maybe his world and Cherry’s weren’t so different?
Ponyboy thought this because they watch the same sunset and they both go through tough times.
10. Why did Johnny stare at the rings on the Soc’s hand?
Johnny stared at the rings on the Soc's hand because it looked like the Soc that beat him up.
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 were trying to avoid a fight and didn'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 said to Ponyboy before she left was, “I could fall in love with Dallas Winston,”... “I hope I never see him again, or I will.” (pg. 67)
13. How long has it been since Ponyboy’s parents were killed?
It has been 8 months since Ponyboy's parents were killed.
14. Why was Ponyboy late getting home?
Ponyboy was late because he fell asleep in the empty lot with Johnny.
Chapter 4
1. Who (Greasers or Socs) do you think was wrong in this situation in this chapter?
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 were on of the Socs, I would have felt angry that Bob was stabbed but if I had been one of the Greasers, I would have felt angry because he was drowning Ponyboy. The difference is that Bob is one of the Socs but to the Greasers, he was an enemy because he tried drowning Ponyboy.
3. Why did Ponyboy turn to Dally for help?
Ponyboy turned to Dally for help because he was being attacked by Bob.
4. What does Bob say a Greaser is?
Bob said a Greaser is white trash with long hair. “You know what a greaser is?” Bob asked. “White trash with long hair.” (pg. 79)
5. What do the Socs do to Ponyboy?
The Socs drowned Ponyboy in the fountain.
6. What does Ponyboy see when he recovers consciousness?
Ponyboy sees Bob lying lifeless.
7. Why did Johnny attack Bob?
Johnny attacked Bob because he was trying to stop him from drowning Ponyboy.
8. Where do Johnny and Ponyboy go when the leave the park?
Johnny and Ponyboy go to find Dally at Buck's house.
9. What does Dally give Johnny and Ponyboy?
Dally gives Johnny and Ponyboy a gun and fifty dollars.
10. Where does Dally tell them to go?
Dally tells them to go to the church on Jay Mountain.
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.
2. What two groups of teenagers does Ponyboy describe? Compare the two groups.
- The two groups that Ponyboy describes are the Greasers and the Socs. Socs is short for Socials and all the socials are west side rich kids, so they all own either mustangs or coveirs. Greasers live on the east side and sometimes have cars, but they aren't like the Socs. Greasers are considered low loves because they do not have any money and they steal, and they come from difficult homes.
3. Why did the Socs beat up Ponyboy?
- The Socs beat up Ponyboy because he was walking home from the movies alone. This gave the Socs an opportunity because he's younger and smaller.
4. Why did Ponyboy have a hard time with his oldest brother?
- Ponyboy's oldest brother, Darrel (Darry) always has high expectations for Ponyboy and is very hard on him. Nothing ever good enough for Darry, but he is the one in charge since their parents are not around.
5. How are Ponyboy and his friends like you? Different than you?
- Ponyboy and his friends are like me because they stay together like a pack and are always sticking up for one another. They are different from me because they are an actual gang and they get into fights that sometimes include switch blades, broken bottles, and other harmful objects.
6. Why do you think the author uses non-standard English?
- The author uses non-standard English because the kids in the book are in a gang, so she wants you to relate to Ponyboy. If it were in standard English, the story wouldn't be as authentic and relatable as it is.
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.)
You do not have to read that far until you learn about Greasers and how they live on the east side, sometimes have cars, that they steal, are considered low lives, do not have money, and come from difficult homes.
Chapter 2
1. Where do the Socs and Greasers hang out? What do they do for fun?
The Socs and Greasers hang out at drive-ins, more specifically the Nightly Double.
2. How do the Greasers learn more about the Socs?
The Greasers learn more about the Socs because they start talking to Sherri (Cherry) and Marcia, two of the Socs.
3. What kind of rules do gang members follow in fights?
Gang members think it's fair if its fist fighting but switch blades, pool sticks, and any other harmful object is considered rough.
4. How could Cherry be a problem for Dally?
If Dally keeps bothering Cherry, then she could just get him in trouble by telling other Socs and having him get beat up.
5. Why do you think Johnny spoke up to Dally?
Johnny spoke up to Dally because he likes the girls and knows that they haven't done anything wrong, so he put Dally in his place by telling him to stop.
6. Why didn’t Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally pay to get into the drive-in movie?
Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally all pay to get into the drive-in because they don't want to get in trouble for breaking the rules.
7. What is Cherry’s real name? Why is she called Cherry?
Cherry's real name is Sherri and she is called cherry because her hair is red.
8. What did Cherry do when Dally brought her a Coke?
Cherry threw the Coke at Dally's face because he was being a jerk. He was putting his feet on her chair, cussing, and being dirty.
9. Give three reasons why Cherry and Marcia are not scared of Johnny and Ponyboy even though, like Dally, they are Greasers.
Cherry and Marcia because one, they have a good attitude, two, they are protective, and three, they are not dirty like Dally and they are young.
10. What are two rules Greasers have for themselves?
The two rules that Greasers have are one, stick together and two, don't get caught.
11. How did Johnny get beaten up?
While Johnny was looking for his football to practice with, mustang pulled up and out came four Socs that beat up Johnny.
12. What did Cherry mean when she said, “Things are rough all over”?
Cherry meant that everyone has problems no matter who they are.
Chapter 3
1. Why do you think Ponyboy and Cherry become good friends?
Ponyboy and Cherry become good friends because they can talk to each other and and are open with each other.
2. Do the characters in this book seam “real”? Why or why not? How does try to make them believable?
The characters in this book seem real because like in the book, kids/teens in reality are abused, stay home alone a lot, have single parents, or have parents that are separated and this makes the people in the book seem relatable and believable.
3. Why did Cherry and Marcia leave their dates?
Cherry and Marcia left their dates because they were trying to prevent the fight that was about to happen between the boys and they didn't want to get in trouble themselves.
4. Why do you think Darry hit Ponyboy?
Darry hit Ponyboy because he came home late and defended Soda.
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 can trust each other and they are going through the same problems.
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?
Yes, I agree with Johnny because your family will always be there and when you have your family there is a sense of loyalty and commitment, but when it comes to friends, they just come and go.
7. What did Cherry say was the main difference between the Socs and the Greasers?
She said that Greasers have a different set of values, they are more emotional, and they are not sophisticated.
8. What was the name of Sodapop’s horse? What happened to Soda’s horse?
Sodapop's horse's name was Mickey Mouse and he was taken away because he was sold.
9. Why did Ponyboy think that maybe his world and Cherry’s weren’t so different?
Ponyboy thought this because they watch the same sunset and they both go through tough times.
10. Why did Johnny stare at the rings on the Soc’s hand?
Johnny stared at the rings on the Soc's hand because it looked like the Soc that beat him up.
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 were trying to avoid a fight and didn'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 said to Ponyboy before she left was, “I could fall in love with Dallas Winston,”... “I hope I never see him again, or I will.” (pg. 67)
13. How long has it been since Ponyboy’s parents were killed?
It has been 8 months since Ponyboy's parents were killed.
14. Why was Ponyboy late getting home?
Ponyboy was late because he fell asleep in the empty lot with Johnny.
Chapter 4
1. Who (Greasers or Socs) do you think was wrong in this situation in this chapter?
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 were on of the Socs, I would have felt angry that Bob was stabbed but if I had been one of the Greasers, I would have felt angry because he was drowning Ponyboy. The difference is that Bob is one of the Socs but to the Greasers, he was an enemy because he tried drowning Ponyboy.
3. Why did Ponyboy turn to Dally for help?
Ponyboy turned to Dally for help because he was being attacked by Bob.
4. What does Bob say a Greaser is?
Bob said a Greaser is white trash with long hair. “You know what a greaser is?” Bob asked. “White trash with long hair.” (pg. 79)
5. What do the Socs do to Ponyboy?
The Socs drowned Ponyboy in the fountain.
6. What does Ponyboy see when he recovers consciousness?
Ponyboy sees Bob lying lifeless.
7. Why did Johnny attack Bob?
Johnny attacked Bob because he was trying to stop him from drowning Ponyboy.
8. Where do Johnny and Ponyboy go when the leave the park?
Johnny and Ponyboy go to find Dally at Buck's house.
9. What does Dally give Johnny and Ponyboy?
Dally gives Johnny and Ponyboy a gun and fifty dollars.
10. Where does Dally tell them to go?
Dally tells them to go to the church on Jay Mountain.
11. How do they get there?
They get there by train.
12. How do they find the church?
They ask a farmer.