Of Mice and Men

Comprehension Questions

As you read the novel, answer the following questions in your exercise book or a notebook. One sentence should suffice for most of them.

Chapter 1

  1. Where are George and Lennie at the beginning of the novel?
  2. What dream do George and Lennie share?
  3. How does George describe Lennie to the boss?
  4. What does Lennie want to pet?
  5. Why does George feel responsible for Lennie?

Chapter 2

  1. What job do George and Lennie get on the ranch?
  2. Who is Curley, and what is his attitude towards others?
  3. How does Candy react when he meets George and Lennie?
  4. What does the boss suspect about George and Lennie's relationship?
  5. What is significant about the description of Curley’s wife?

Chapter 3

  1. What event leads to the confrontation between Lennie and Curley?
  2. How does Slim react to the fight between Lennie and Curley?
  3. What does Candy offer to George and Lennie regarding their dream?
  4. How does George tell Slim about Lennie's mental condition?
  5. What happens to Candy’s dog, and why is it important?

Chapter 4

  1. Where does Crooks live on the ranch?
  2. What does Lennie want to do when he visits Crooks?
  3. How does Crooks react to Lennie’s visit initially?
  4. What does Crooks say about the loneliness of ranch workers?
  5. How does Curley’s wife treat Crooks and the men in the stable?

Chapter 5

  1. What happens to Curley’s wife when she visits Lennie in the barn?
  2. How does Lennie accidentally kill Curley’s wife?
  3. What does George tell Lennie to do after the incident?
  4. How does Candy react when he finds Curley’s wife?
  5. What are the implications of Lennie’s actions for his future?

Chapter 6

  1. Where does George find Lennie at the end of the novel?
  2. How does George try to calm Lennie before the confrontation?
  3. What does George tell Lennie about their dream while he is hiding?
  4. What is George's final action towards Lennie?
  5. How does the novel conclude, and what does it signify about their dream?

Write your own three questions for each chapter, to use for revision in the Spring.