A STEP BEYOND

TESTS AND ANSWERS

TEST 1

_____ 1. We gain an early insight into Lennie's problem when
A. he admits to George that he can't read traffic signs
B. we learn about the dead mouse in his pocket
C. he forgets his own name

_____ 2. When Steinbeck tells us that Lennie likes to pet things, he is using the technique of
A. narration
B. graphic description
C. foreshadowing

_____ 3. George can make Lennie feel bad by
A. telling what a burden Lennie is to him
B. teasing him about the rabbit farm
C. refusing to give him any spending money

_____ 4. George and Lennie felt that they were different from other itinerant ranch hands because they
A. had desirable skills
B. liked to put roots down in one place
C. could look after each other

_____ 5. Milton and Small were
A. the last names of George and Lennie
B. the agents who supplied itinerant workers for ranch jobs
C. the two mule skinners on the ranch

_____ 6. George explained Lennie's problem to everyone by saying
A. he had been the victim of a childhood disease
B. he had been kicked in the head by a horse
C. his parents had kept him out of school

_____ 7. In his first meeting with both men, Curley was irritated because
A. George did all the talking
B. Lennie didn't show him the proper respect
C. they seemed incompetent

_____ 8. The swamper characterized Curley's new bride as
A. a whiner
B. a frustrated actress
C. a tart

_____ 9. One of the important developments of the plot was introduced when
A. we learn that Slim's dog had a litter of pups
B. Carlson makes his entrance
C. Slim asks George and Lennie to join his work crew

_____ 10. The story of Lennie's near disaster in the town of Weed
A. added to our sympathy for him
B. exacerbated Curley's bitterness toward both men
C. prepared us for the violence which lay ahead

11. In many ways, Lennie is the central character in the book. Nearly all of the action and characters revolve around him. Discuss this idea.

12. Where does the title of the book come from? Why is the title appropriate?

13. Discuss how the ranch in Of Mice and Men is a microcosm of American society as a whole.

14. Steinbeck had originally planned to call the book Something That Happened. Explain why. Discuss which title you like best.

15. Discuss why the other characters in the book are suspicious or skeptical about the relationship between George and Lennie.

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