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Of Mice and Men Chapters 5-6 study guide
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Chapters 5-6 Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Study the context of the underlined word in each item below. Then, following the directions given in
the last sentence in each item, write a sentence that includes the word in its correct context.
1. The robot’s voice was mechanical and monotonous.
Because the actress’ reading of the poem was so monotonous, the variations in tone and
rhythm were barely noticeable.
Using the word monotonous, write a sentence about a sportscaster.
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2. The nurse sang the lullaby soothingly to the baby, and the infant soon stopped crying.
My cat grew calmer as I petted her soothingly while the veterinarian examined her.
Using soothingly, write a sentence about a sick child.
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3. While Caspar ran to fetch water, Isabel tried frantically to smother the flames with her coat.
Because he did not begin the assignment until the last minute, Jim spent the evening
frantically writing.
Using the word frantically, write a sentence about a lost item.
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4. After the shortstop made his sixth error of the game, the fans began jeering him.
Accustomed to hostile listeners, the candidate continued her speech despite the jeering
crowd.
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5. The reporter questioned the senator belligerently, making their meeting a fierce verbal
battle.
Henry was asking for a fight when he belligerently refused to move aside for the older and
larger man.
Using the word belligerently, write a sentence about a person.
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6. The pianist’s discontent remained despite her success; she was never satisfied with her
performances.
Bored in the small town of his birth, Bill fueled his discontent with fantasies of big city life.
Using the word discontent, write a sentence about a spoiled child.
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7. Before the invention of anesthetics, surgical patients writhed in pain while attendants held
them down.
Even the strongest trees twisted out of their shapes as they writhed in the force of the
hurricane.
Using the word writhed, write a sentence about a restless baby.
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8. When we showed no sympathy for her complaining, Violet withdrew sulkily to her bedroom.
After he failed to get the part he wanted, Larry sulkily refused to participate at all in the play.
Using the word sulkily, write a sentence about a spoiled child.
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Chapters 5-6 Reading Guide
9. Whom is Lennie talking to in the barn at the very beginning of Chapter 5?
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10. In what way does Lennie show that he is confused and nervous?
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11. When Curley’s wife comes into the barn, what does Lennie say over and over again to her as
she keeps on trying to make conversation with him?
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12. What does Curley’s wife way to Lennie when she sees how upset he is over his dead puppy?
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13. Whom does Curley’s wife blame for standing in the way of her show business success?
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14. When Curley’s wife asks Lennie why he likes rabbits so much, what is his response?
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15. What does Lennie do to Curley’s wife that kills her?
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16. What is Candy’s greatest fear now that Lennie can no longer be part of the dream farm?
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17. At the end of Chapter 5, what reason does Curley give for insisting that George join the search
for Lennie?
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18. At the beginning of Chapter 6, where does Lennie run off to after killing Curley’s wife?
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19. When Aunt Clara and the gigantic rabbit appear to Lennie and talk to him, in whose voice do
they speak?
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20. What does George do to Lennie near the end of Chapter 6?
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21. What do George and Lennie talk about before George does what he feels he has to do?
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22. What does George do with Carlson’s gun just before Curley and the others come into the
clearing?
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23. What does Slim saw to George? What does he do that shows he realizes what George did and
that he understands the pain he suffered in doing it?
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