What best summarizes Holden's attitude toward authenticity and phoniness in others?

• A. He is skeptical of phoniness but desires genuine connection.
• B. He is convinced that everyone is fake.
• C. He is indifferent to authenticity and values appearances.
• D. He only values financial success.

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is Holden’s stance on authenticity versus phoniness: he remains skeptical of people’s sincerity, yet he deeply longs for genuine, meaningful connections. Throughout the story he頻 critiques the world as full of “phonies”—people who put on appearances, chase status, or speak with hollow insincerity. But this isn’t simply cynicism; it’s paired with a persistent desire for honesty and real human warmth. Moments that reveal his longing—his care for Jane Gallagher’s straightforward, unguarded honesty, and his protective feeling for his younger sister Phoebe—show that he craves connections that feel true and uncomplicated. That blend—seeing much around him as inauthentic while still seeking authentic interaction—is what makes the described attitude best fit. The other ideas don’t fit as well: he doesn’t believe everyone is fake, he doesn’t value appearances over truth, and he isn’t focused on financial success.