Name______
Pd.______
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 1 Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in the novel.
bindle [slang] a bundle, as of bedding, carried by a hobo
morosely: having a sullen or gloomy disposition
contemplated: thoughtfully considered or meditated
II. Allusions and historical references:
Salinas River: a river that flows through Soledad and into Monterey Bay
III. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the novel.
imply: the indicate indirectly; hint; suggest
exposition: the first part of a literary composition that introduces the characters/setting
setting: the time, place, etc. of a story
point of view: a position of perspective from which a story is told
From what point of view is the story told? 3rd person limited
IV. QUESTIONS: answer the following questions. Use complete sentences.
1. What does Lennie take out of his pocket that gets him yelled at by George?
2. Why did George and Lennie leave the last place they were at?
3. What dream does George and Lennie share?
4. Where does George tell Lennie to go if he gets in trouble?
V. Short Answer: How does Steinbeck use characterization to explain the relationship that exists between George and Lennie based on Chapter 1?
Name______
Pd.______
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 2 Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in the novel.
skinner a mule/horse driver
ominously: foretelling evil; an omen
pugnacious: aggressive; argumentative; combative
derogatory: intended to lower the reputation of a person/thing; degrade
II. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the novel.
dialect a regional variety of language
novella a work of fiction that is shorter than a novel but longer and more complex than a short story
irony the use of words to express the opposite of what someone really means (verbal/sarcasm); a turn of events that is unexpected (situational/dramatic)
What is an example of something ironic from this chapter?______
direct characterization______
indirect characterization______
III. QUESTIONS: answer the following questions. Use complete sentences.
1. What does the boss suspect George of doing to Lennie? What makes him think this?
IV. SHORT ESSAY: write a paragraph answer to the following questions. Use quotes from the book to support your answer. (This is not necessarily a short answer but should still incorporate ACE and should be no longer than half a page.)
1. Describe the atmosphere of the ranch and bunkhouse. Be sure to include characteristics of different characters that were formally or informally introduced to us in this chapter.
Name______
Pd.______
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 3 Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in the novel.
receptive______
reprehensible______
reverence______
II. Allusions and historical references:
Luger (lgr) German semiautomatic pistol (gun)
III. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the novel.
theme______
A theme in the novel: ______
imagery______
onomatopoeia______
EXAMPLE: ______
foreshadow______
conflict______
External: ______
EXAMPLE:______
Internal: ______
EXAMPLE: ______
IV. QUESTIONS: answer the following questions. Use complete sentences.
1. What did George do once that made him stop playing jokes on Lennie?
2. What reasons does Carlson give for wanting Candy’s dog shot?
3. What is the purpose of Whit’s character?
4. Who has been listening to and finally interrupts George and Lennie’s conversation about the ranch?
5. What does Candy tell George he wishes he had done?
6. What happens between Curley and Lennie?
V. Short Answer: What are the similarities between the relationships of Candy with his dog and George with Lennie?
Name______
Pd.______
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 4 Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in the novel.
aloof______
apprehension______
indignation______
crestfallen______
II. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the novel.
verbal irony______
EXAMPLE:______
symbolism______
III. QUESTIONS: answer the following questions. Use complete sentences.
1. How does Crooks react to Lennie when he comes to visit?
2. What do we learn about Crook’s family?
3. What is Crook’s opinion of George and Lennie desire to get land?
4. What do we learn about Curley’s wife’s history and aspirations?
5. What is the last thing Crooks says to Candy in the chapter?
IV. Short Answer: How is the motif of loneliness developed in this chapter?
Name______
Pd.______
Of Mice and Men: Chapter 5 & 6 Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in the novel.
woe______
writhe______
belligerent______
monotonous______
II. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the novel.
protagonist______
Who are the protagonists?______
personification______
EXAMPLE:______
III. QUESTIONS: Answer the following questions. Use complete sentences.
Chapter 5
1. Why does Lennie think that he might not get to tend the rabbits?
2. What plan does Lennie have to avoid getting in trouble?
3. What did Lennie do to Curley’s wife?
Chapter 6
4. Where is Lennie hiding?
5. With whom does Lennie have his first imaginary conversation?
6. With whom/what does Lennie have his second imaginary conversation?
7. What story does George tell Lennie?
8. What does George do while telling Lennie this story?
IV. Short Answer: Explain whether George’s actions at the end of the story are justified.