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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. Who used to be a good boxer?

2. Who told Lennie not to pet the puppies too much?

3. Who fights with Lennie at the end of Chapter 3?

4. What were the men in Weed going to do to Lennie?

5. What does George tell Lennie not to do with the boss?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does George explain to Lennie as they are walking in the beginning of the book? What are they doing?

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

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

4. What happened at the ranch in Weed while George and Lennie worked there?

5. What does George tell Lennie about the water in Chapter 1?

6. What disturbs George when he looks at his bed's box shelf?

7. What does Candy say to them when Lennie and George first arrive at the ranch?

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

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

10. Why is Lennie not smart, according to George when he talks to the boss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

George tells Lennie where to hide in the brush if they should get into trouble, but he tells him this before they go to the new ranch. What does his mean in terms of Lennie's past? Why does George plan for their escape ahead of time? How many other times do you think Lennie has been in trouble before? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

When Curley attacks Lennie, Lennie doesn't defend himself, even though he is much bigger and stronger. This seems a contradiction as Lennie does appear to have violent tendencies. Why do you think the Lennie didn't defend himself? Should he have fought back? Why or why not? And why did Lennie eventually break Curley's hand?

(see the answer keys)

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