Of Mice and Men Challenge Quiz
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck · 9 multiple-choice questions with answers · about 7 min
Test your knowledge of Of Mice and Men with 9 challenge questions with answers and explanations — the hardest questions — exam-style thinking. Ideal for revision once you have read the whole novella.
The hardest questions — exam-style thinking. Drawn from the whole novella — contains spoilers.
Skills tested: Theme, Inference · Difficulty: Challenge
Of Mice and Men Challenge questions
The answers and an explanation for each question appear as you play, and on the answer-key page of the printout.
- Lennie asks George to tell about the little farm again, though he has heard it many times. What does the retelling do for them?
It gives their drifting a purpose they can picture · It persuades Lennie to stop carrying dead mice · It settles an argument over how to split wages · It proves George has already chosen the land
- George tells the boss that Lennie is his cousin and was kicked in the head by a horse as a child. Why does he say this?
To claim a share of Lennie's pay for himself · To explain Lennie without inviting questions · Because Lennie's aunt had asked him to say it · Because the boss has already heard about Weed
- Curley attacks Lennie, having taken his smile for mockery. What does Lennie's part in the fight show?
He has learned to defend himself from George · He enjoys a fight once he has been struck · He will not use his strength until told to · He is quicker on his feet than a boxer is
- Why does Crooks keep suggesting to Lennie that George might not come back from town?
Because the other hands had told him so in fun · To frighten Lennie out of the harness room · To make Lennie feel the loneliness he lives with · Because he has seen George pack his few things
- Why does Lennie clap a hand over Curley's wife's mouth when she begins to cry out?
He means to carry her out of the barn first · He wants to keep her from waking the pups · He is angry that she pulled her hair away · He fears George will hear her and be angry
- Why does Slim lead George away afterwards, telling him he had no choice?
He thinks George shot Lennie in self-defence · He sees that the other choices were worse · He wants George gone before the law comes · He believes Curley will now be satisfied
- Curley's wife is never given a name in the book. What is the effect of that?
It hides which of the men she grew up with · She stays a possession rather than a person · It makes her death matter less to the reader · It keeps her husband at the centre of things
- What links the shooting of Candy's dog to the way the book ends?
Candy's regret foreshadows George's choice · Both deaths happen in the bunkhouse at night · Both are done to settle a score with Curley · Both killings are done by Carlson's hand
- Why does George tell the men that Lennie had the pistol and that he took it away from him?
So Carlson will not ask for his gun · So Curley will not be blamed for it · So Candy can still be given a share · So the men read it as self-defence
More Of Mice and Men practice: all Of Mice and Men quizzes · characters quiz · themes quiz · language & structure quiz
Original questions written for Pagine. This book is in copyright, so questions paraphrase rather than quote it.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Of Mice and Men Challenge quiz free?
Yes. All 9 questions are free with answers and explanations. Play online with instant feedback, or print it as a test with an answer key — no sign-up needed.
What does the Of Mice and Men Challenge quiz cover?
9 challenge questions drawn from every part of Of Mice and Men. The hardest questions — exam-style thinking. It tests theme, inference at challenge level.
Does it contain spoilers?
Yes — it draws on the whole novella, including the ending.
Can I use it with a class?
Yes. Print it with the answer key for a reading check, homework or revision lesson, or share the link so students can take it online.
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