Sample Guide
Blurb
The Soc’s idea of having a good time is beating up Greasers like Ponyboy, the rough, tough, long haired kids from the other side of town.
Ponyboy knows what to expect and knows he can count on his brothers and on his friends – until the night someone takes things too far.
Chapter 1
1. Ponyboy is the narrator of the story. What do we learn about him in the opening paragraph?
2. Why does Ponyboy like to be alone when he goes to the movies?
3. Who are Soda and Darry?
4. Why does Ponyboy ‘love Soda more (than he’s) ever loved anyone’ (2)?
5. What does the term ‘or they’ll get jumped’ mean?
6. ‘We get jumped by the Soc’s’ (2). Who are the Socs?
7. What is the difference between a ‘greaser’ and a ‘Soc’?
8. What happened to Ponyboy’s parents?
9. Why was Ponyboy ‘sweating something fierce’ (4)?
10. Who saved Ponyboy when he was attacked by the gang of Socs?
11. Draw a picture of Darry and Soda based on Ponyboy’s descriptions on pages 6 and 7.
12. ‘He can get drunk in a drag race or dancing without ever getting near alcohol’ (7). What did Ponyboy mean?
13. Name the people who are members of the ‘greasers’?
14. What is a ‘wisecracker’?
15. Why does Ponyboy believe ‘you can’t win against (the Socs)’ (11)?
16. What does the term ‘tough’ mean? What does the term’ tuff’ mean?
17. Why does Ponyboy hate Steve Randall?
18. Compare the relationship Ponyboy has with each of his brothers.
19. Why do you think Ponyboy lies to himself ‘all the time’ (18)?
Discussion
What kind of life does Ponyboy have? Is he happy? Why do you think conflict exists between the greasers and the Socs?
Vocabulary
bright, content, interested, through, abbreviate, wreck, editorials, consider, everything, fierce, perspiration, mugged, suffocate, fought, happening, dizzy, instantly, determined, blankly, neighbourhood, hurriedly, bawl, impatiently, vacant, speciality, acquired, irresistibly, unfathomable, dangerous, suspicious, affection, hollered, handsome
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© 2008 Bernadette Sheedy
