Of Mice and Men Reading between the lines Quiz
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck · 8 multiple-choice questions with answers · about 6 min
Test your knowledge of Of Mice and Men with 8 reading between the lines questions with answers and explanations — why things happen and what the text implies. Ideal for revision once you have read the whole novella.
Why things happen and what the text implies. Drawn from the whole novella — contains spoilers.
Skills tested: Inference · Difficulty: Challenge, Standard
Of Mice and Men Reading between the lines questions
The answers and an explanation for each question appear as you play, and on the answer-key page of the printout.
- 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 Slim make Curley agree to say his hand was caught in a machine?
So Curley can claim money for the injury · So Lennie will not be told what he did · So the boss will not sack his own son · So George and Lennie keep their jobs
- 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
- 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 Reading between the lines quiz free?
Yes. All 8 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 Reading between the lines quiz cover?
8 reading between the lines questions drawn from every part of Of Mice and Men. Why things happen and what the text implies. It tests inference at challenge, standard 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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