The Outsiders Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
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The Outsiders has 12 chapters · 192 pages
According to Ponyboy, there are two kinds of people in the world: greasers and socs. A soc (short for "social") has money, can get away with just about anything, and has an attitude longer than a limousine.
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Inside the journal: 12 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Chapter by chapter Each question is about its own chapter.
Ponyboy says he is different from some of the other Greasers. What do you learn about Ponyboy in this chapter, and how does he see himself?See all 12 questions ↓
About the book
According to Ponyboy, there are two kinds of people in the world: greasers and socs. A soc (short for "social") has money, can get away with just about anything, and has an attitude longer than a limousine. A greaser, on the other hand, always lives on the outside and needs to watch his back.
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The Outsiders questions by chapter
We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. One question per chapter, across all 12 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.
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Chapter 1
Ponyboy says he is different from some of the other Greasers. What do you learn about Ponyboy in this chapter, and how does he see himself?
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Chapter 2
Cherry and Ponyboy come from different groups, but they are able to talk honestly. What do they begin to understand about each other?
Example answer: I think Cherry and Ponyboy begin to understand that people are more than their group names. Cherry is a Soc and Ponyboy is a Greaser, but they both have feelings and problems. Ponyboy sees that Cherry is not just a rich girl who has an easy life. Cherry also sees that Ponyboy is thoughtful and not what she expected.
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Chapter 3
Ponyboy says, "Things are rough all over." What do you think this means in the story, and why is it important?
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Chapter 4
Johnny and Ponyboy face a frightening problem after the fight in the park. What choices do they make, and why do you think they make them?
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Chapter 5
While hiding in the church, Ponyboy and Johnny read, talk, and think. How does this time change the way they understand themselves or the world?
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Chapter 6
Johnny decides to go into the burning church to save the children. What does this action show about his character?
Example answer: Johnny going into the church shows that he is very brave and caring. Even though he is scared and has been through a lot, he thinks about the children first. I think this proves that Johnny has a good heart. He does not want innocent people to get hurt.
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Chapter 7
After the fire, Ponyboy talks with reporters and learns more about what might happen next. What worries him most in this chapter, and why?
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Chapter 8
Johnny is very sick in the hospital, but he still talks with Ponyboy and Two-Bit. What do Johnny’s words and actions show about what matters to him?
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Chapter 9
Before the rumble, the boys have different reasons for wanting to fight. What are some of those reasons, and do you think fighting will solve their problems?
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Chapter 10
After Johnny dies, Dally reacts in a dangerous way. Why do you think Dally acts this way, and what does it show about his feelings?
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Chapter 11
Ponyboy is upset and confused after everything that has happened. How can you tell he is having a hard time facing the truth?
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Chapter 12
At the end of the book, Ponyboy decides to write about his experiences. Why do you think telling his story is important for him and for others?
Example answer: I think telling his story is important because it helps Ponyboy understand what happened and heal from it. Writing lets him remember Johnny and Dally in an honest way. It can also help other people see Greasers as real people, not just troublemakers. Ponyboy wants readers to understand that everyone has struggles.
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How to use this The Outsiders reading journal
At home, as a discussion guide
After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.
In class, as a novel study
Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.
Homeschool
One booklet covers the whole book, 12 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for The Outsiders. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.
Printing
The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.
Where the questions come from
Each question is about its own chapter. We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.