What does Holden decide to do next, and who does he plan to visit first?

• A. Go west to work on a ranch and say goodbye to Phoebe.
• B. Go east to visit his parents.
• C. Join the army.
• D. Go to college in New York.

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is Holden’s immediate plan after leaving Pencey: he wants to escape and head west to work on a ranch, and he intends to say goodbye to Phoebe first. This moment shows his longing for a fresh start in a place he imagines as simpler and more real, away from the phoniness he associates with his current life. Phoebe matters to him deeply, and telling her goodbye first reflects how central she is to his emotional world even as he tries to disappear. The other options don’t fit what he’s thinking at this moment—he isn’t planning to go east to see his parents, join the army, or enroll in college in New York.