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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What mountains are visible in the area in Chapter 1?

2. Who wishes he had shot his dog himself?

3. In Chapter 2, what does George say he will find out?

4. Who is not bright, but is a good worker?

5. In Chapter 2, what does George say the driver made them do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happened when George tried to impress a bunch of men once in the past by making Lennie do something?

2. What do the men say about Curley's wife?

3. What happens when Slim comments on the relationship between George and Lennie?

4. What happens when Carlson complains about the smell of Candy's dog?

5. How does Candy describe the boss at the ranch?

6. Where did Lennie and George work before this new job in Chapter 1?

7. What does the boss look like?

8. Why does the boss become suspicious of George's story as to why he and Lennie are late to start their new jobs?

9. Describe the character of Lennie in the first scene of the novel.

10. Who has been playing cards with Crooks, the old black ranch hand?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When George kills Lennie, it's a shock to some readers. After all of George's devotion and loyalty, this seems like a final act of betrayal. Why do you think George killed Lennie? Do you think this killing was the right thing to do? Why did George lie about what happened with Lennie? What do you think happens to George after the book ends?

Essay Topic 2

George and Lennie talk constantly about having a place of their own. Besides getting out of having to work for other people, what other reasons do you think they have for owning their own place? What makes this the dream they come back to again and again when they are upset? What would this new place do for them?

Essay Topic 3

George used to play jokes on Lennie but not anymore after one incident in which Lennie nearly drowned. That said, why do you think George played tricks on Lennie in the first place? There are several possible reasons, so explain each in terms of how George may have benefited from the trick.

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