The Outsiders ​Study Guide

Name ________________________
 The Outsiders
Chapter 1

Vocabulary: Find a synonym for these words

sensitive sagely gingerly

reckless madras
sympathetic unfathomable

Chapter Questions:

1. What happens to Pony on the way home from the movie?

2. Why does Pony live with his two brothers?

3. Describe Pony at school.

*​If time write a short summary of what happened this chapter:

 The Outsiders
Chapter 2

Vocabulary:​ ​Find a synonym

roguishly winced
incredulous nonchalantly
sarcastically vaguely

Chapter Questions:

1. How does Dally behave at the drive-in movie?

2. Why is Johnny so nervous all the time?

3. Explain why Cherry says, “Things are rough all over.”

If time write a summary of what happened this chapter:

Using the Venn diagram below, compare the Greasers and

the Socs. How are they the same/different?
​Greasers ​Both Socs
 The Outsiders
Chapter 3

Vocabulary ​ Find a synonym:

gallant ornery quivering

resignedly sassy
sophisticated reeling

Chapter Questions:

1. Discuss what Cherry sees as the main difference between the

Socs and the Greasers.

2. Why does Cherry say she and Pony are the same?

3. What happens when Pony finally gets home?

*If time write a summary of what happened this chapter:

 The Outsiders
Chapter 3

What’s the Difference?

In what ways are the Greasers and Socs different? How are some
individuals in the two groups alike? Read each item below. Put ​G
next to the descriptions that relate to Greasers. Write ​S ​next to
descriptions that relate to Socs. Write ​B​ if the word or phrase applies
to members of both groups.

___1. short hair ___13. emotional

___2. T-shirts and jeans ___14. cool and aloof
___3. like to fight ___15. group loyalty
___4. care about their ___16. sense of humor
families ___17. hot-tempered,
___5. East side reckless
___6. souped-up cars ___18. Old English shaving
___7. enjoy watching sunsets lotion
___8. have problems at ___19. rich families
home ___20. enjoy books, music,
___9. wear madras shirts movies
___10. West side ___21. well-oiled hair
___11. flashy new cars ___22. poor families
___12. unsure of themselves ___23. long hair
___24. want to be judged as
individuals

Which characters in the novel seem to be most alike? Explain.

Which characters in the novel seem to be most different in

personality? Write their names below then explain your choice.
 The Outsiders
Chapter 4

Vocabulary​ Find a synonym

apprehensive bewildering
contemptuously defiance rueful
groggy premonition wince

Chapter Questions:

1. Describe what happens when the Socs show up at the park.

2. Where do Pony and Johnny go when they leave the park?

3. What is Dally’s reaction to the news?

4. How do Pony and Johnny feel by the time they get to the old
church?

If time write a summary of what happened this chapter:

 The Outsiders
Chapter 4 - Cause and Effect

Directions: ​Match the correct effect with its cause by placing the correct
letter on the blank​.

1. Pony did not think of asking 10. Johnny was afraid for Pony’s
someone to go to the movies life, so ___
with him.___
11. After Darry hits Pony in anger,
2. Because he thinks he is ___
“dumb,” ___

3. Because he always had

something to say, ___ A. he got his nickname, Two-Bit.

4. Johnny had been beaten B. they dream of a place where

badly by Socs, so ___ there are no social classes,
just people.
5. When Johnny told him to
leave Marcia and Cherry C. Pony decides to run away.
alone, ___
D. Darry gets upset at Pony
6. When Cherry says she can’t when he gets jumped.
talk to Pony at school, ___
E. he reminds her that he
7. Because Pony and Johnny watches sunsets too.
are tired of Socs having all the
breaks, ___ F. he stabbed the Soc.

8. Pony fell asleep in the lot, and G. then he got into an argument
___ with Darry once he got home.

9. The Socs were drunk and H. they went looking for a fight.
angry because their girlfriends
left them at the drive-in, so I. Dally left the theater angrily.
___
J. Soda drops out of school. K. he was even more nervous all
the time.
 The Outsiders
Chapter 5

Vocabulary​ - FInd a synonym

eluded hue
subsides indignant

Chapter Questions:

1. Explain what Pony and Johnny do to disguise themselves.

2. Why is the disguise depressing to them?

3. What do Pony and Johnny do to pass the time?

4. What news does Dally bring?

 The Outsiders
Chapter 5

“Nothing Gold Can Stay.”

This line from a Robert Frost poem is quoted by Ponyboy as he and

Johnny view a beautiful sunset on Jay Mountain. What does this line
mean?
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Give an example from your own life of a “golden” moment.

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The Outsiders
Chapter 6

Vocabulary
conviction-
hysterics-
doggedly-
hysterics-
towheaded-
fiend-

Chapter Questions

1. Why does Cherry become a spy for the Greasers?

2. What advice does Dally give Johnny about his parents?

3. What do the boys find when they return to the church?

4. What do they do next?

Chapter Summary

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The Outsiders
Chapter 6

Would You Be A Hero?

There are many different heroes in the world today. Some save lives,
find cures, or just make you feel safe. Answers the following
questions about heroes:

1. What is your definition of a hero?

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2. Name a person in your life who is your hero. WHY do you

consider that person a hero? (Be specific and give details.)
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3. By your definition, are YOU heroic? Could you be heroic if

given the opportunity? Explain.
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The Outsiders
Chapter 7

Vocabulary
mimicking-
radiate-
aghast-
vital-
exploit-

Chapter Questions

1. Describe the mood in the Curtis home on Pony’s first morning

home.

2. Briefly describe Pony’s conversation with Randy.

3. How does Pony view Randy after they talk?

Chapter Summary

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The Outsiders
Chapter 7 – SYMBOLS

Symbols help us to recognize many things. They can be used for

good and for bad. They can help us remember words, meanings, etc.
In ​The Outsiders​, symbols are used to classify people. It is the same
in our culture today.

Directions: Answer the following questions.

1. What do you wear that “symbolizes” who you are, what you like,
or what “group” you belong to?
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2. What in your town or neighborhood symbolizes wealth and

prosperity?

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3. What in your town, neighborhood, or school do you think

symbolizes people who “have it rough?”

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 The Outsiders

Chapter 8

Vocabulary
aimlessly-
divert-
reluctantly-

Chapter Questions

1. Describe Johnny’s feelings about dying.

2. Why is Dally so angry when Two-Bit and Pony leave the

hospital?

3. Describe Pony and Cherry’s conversation about Bob and

Johnny.

Chapter Summary

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The Outsiders
Chapter 9

Vocabulary
agony-
prime-
grimacing-
leery-
reformatory-
static-
underprivileged-
hence-

Chapter Questions

1. Why do Darry, Soda, and Pony clean up before the rumble?

2. What observation does Pony make just before the rumble?

 3. What advice does Johnny give Pony after the rumble?

Chapter Summary

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The Outsiders
Chapter 10

Vocabulary
concussion-
daze-
delirious-
vaguely-
liable-

Compare the attitude of the Greasers before the rumble and after. How has it
changed?

Before Rumble After Rumble

Ponyboy said, “Dally didn’t die a hero. He died violently and young and
desperate.” Do you think Dally was a hero in the end? Why/Why not?

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