Of Mice and Men

1. George says, “You never oughta drink water when it ain’t running, Lennie.” What does this most likely show about George?

A) George is both Lennie’s friend and his adviser.

B) George doesn’t actually like Lennie very much.

C) George is worried about whether they’ll find water.

D) George is upset with Lennie for an unknown reason.

2. George warns Lennie not to talk when they meet the boss at the new ranch, saying, “[If] he sees ya work before he hears ya talk, we’re set.” Why?

A) Lennie is likely to say something insulting.

B) Lennie is likely to reveal his and George’s real motivations.

C) Lennie’s strength will impress the boss, but his intellect will not.

D) Lennie’s attitude toward new people is always aggressive.

3. Lennie’s killing of the mouse in Chapter 1 is an example of which literary device?

A) Dramatic irony

B) Foreshadowing

C) Juxtaposition

D) Direct characterization

4. Which best describes Curley’s role?

A) protagonist

B) antagonist

C) foil

D) confidant

5. Before she even appears, what literary archetype is Curley’s wife characterized as?

A) the temptress

B) the hero

C) the outlaw

D) the innocent

6. What does George most appreciate about his friendship with Lennie?

A) Lennie protects George from others.

B) Lennie keeps George from wanting to fight.

C) Lennie’s stories entertain George.

D) Lennie shares the same goals as George.

7. How does Candy grow closer to George and Lennie? (short answer)

8. Why does Curley attack Lennie?

A) He thinks Lennie stole from him.

B) He thinks Lennie is laughing at him.

C) He thinks Lennie is attracted to his wife.

D) He wants to provoke George.

9. Race distances Crooks from others on the farm. Which best explains Crooks’s perspective?

A) He is determined to show Lennie and Curley that he is no different from them.

B) He is surprised that the other farmers don’t include him in their activities.

C) He is skeptical of Lennie and Curley’s dream but also nurtures his own.

D) He is eager to be a part of a group of self-starters.

10. Why does Curley’s wife most likely say she is glad that Lennie hit Curley? (short answer)

11. What is the primary emotion that drives Lennie to kill Curley’s wife?

A) Fear

B) Jealousy

C) Rage

D) Resentment

12. Candy is left behind when the men go to hunt for Lennie. What does this most likely signify?

A) his innocence

B) his faith

C) his isolation

D) his anger

13. What event in the novella does Lennie’s death most clearly call back to or parallel?

A) the death of Candy’s dog

B) the death of Curley’s wife

C) the death of the puppy

D) the death of the mouse

14. Which feelings lead Lennie to kill George?

A) responsibility and loyalty

B) anger and resentment

C) exhaustion and annoyance

D) sympathy and concern

15. What most likely happens to Lennie after the events in the novel?

A) He and Candy successfully open their own farm.

B) He leaves the ranch by himself.

C) He offers to make amends with Curley.

D) He returns to where he grew up.