Does Holden know his way around the city, and what does this tell us about him?

• A. No; he is lost and panics in unfamiliar streets.
• B. He avoids the city and stays in one neighborhood.
• C. He frequently asks for directions, showing insecurity.
• D. Yes; he knows the city well and wanders, showing he grew up there.

Answer: (D)

This item tests what Holden’s ease in the city says about his background. Throughout his time in New York, Holden moves through the streets and subway system with noticeable familiarity, navigating places and crowds without getting lost. That kind of ease signals more than chance travel; it shows he grew up in the city and feels at home in its rhythms, even as he remains unsettled personally. His wandering is purposeful rather than frantic, illustrating a sense of belonging to the urban space and shaping how he views the world around him. The other ideas don’t fit the text: being lost would clash with his practiced route through the city, avoiding the city would contradict his constant presence there, and relying on directions would indicate insecurity rather than the confident familiarity the narrative portrays. So, the idea that he knows the city well and wanders, showing he grew up there, fits best.