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EAL Nexus resource
Of Mice and Men: part one
Introducing George and Lennie
Subject:
English
Age group:
15–16
Topic:
Of Mice and Men
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2015
Source | This resource was originally developed by Sabine Matzak and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.
Character illustrations by Jude de Podesta.
Adding connectives
Fill in the missing connectives so that the text makes
sense. Before you start, make sure you know the
connectives. Find translations in a bilingual dictionary
or definitions in a learner’s dictionary of those
connectives you are not sure about.
although
as
despite
even though
since
so that
therefore
unlike
when
whenever
whereas
©British Council 2015
Introducing George and Lennie
The first chapter of John Steinbeck’s novel ‘Of Mice
and Men’ introduces the two central characters, George and Lennie,
two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression.
______________ George is quick-witted and intelligent, Lennie is naive,
even childlike, and has learning difficulties. George leads the pair and
is in charge. ______________ George, Lennie is huge and strong, which
makes him a good worker. ______________ Lennie is unaware of his own
strength, he unintentionally causes damage: ______________ he pets a
small animal, e.g. a mouse, he kills it.
______________ the reader does not learn what exactly happened at
their last ranch, it is obvious that Lennie did something wrong,
______________ they had to flee.
Lennie does not seem to be able to remember what happened and
where he is going. ______________ he depends on George, who bears
with him ______________ he would have an easier life without Lennie.
They are on their way to a ranch where they will get work. George’s
plan is to stay the night by a natural pool and go to the ranch on the
following morning. ______________ their new boss must not know about
Lennie’s misbehaviour, George instructs Lennie not to say a word and
let him do the talking. Being forgetful, Lennie has to repeat this several
times to himself.
______________ George becomes impatient with Lennie and resents
having to look after him, Lennie offers to leave him. Feeling like a father
to Lennie, George regrets his impatience and asks Lennie to stay.
______________ being so different, the two men share the dream of
buying their own house.
©British Council 2015
Introducing George and Lennie: Answers
The first chapter of John Steinbeck’s novel ‘Of Mice
and Men’ introduces the two central characters,
George and Lennie, two migrant workers in California during the Great
Depression.
Whereas George is quick-witted and intelligent, Lennie is naive, even
childlike, and has learning difficulties. George leads the pair and is in
charge. Unlike George, Lennie is huge and strong, which makes him a
good worker. Since/As Lennie is unaware of his own strength, he
unintentionally causes damage: when/whenever he pets a small
animal, e.g. a mouse, he kills it.
Although/Even though the reader does not learn what exactly
happened at their last ranch, it is obvious that Lennie did something
wrong, so that they had to flee.
Lennie does not seem to be able to remember what happened and
where he is going. Therefore he depends on George, who bears with
him even though/although he would have an easier life without
Lennie.
They are on their way to a ranch where they will get work. George’s
plan is to stay the night by a natural pool and go to the ranch on the
following morning. As/Since their new boss must not know about
Lennie’s misbehaviour, George instructs Lennie not to say a word and
let him do the talking. Being forgetful, Lennie has to repeat this several
times to himself.
When George becomes impatient with Lennie and resents having to
look after him, Lennie offers to leave him. Feeling like a father to
Lennie, George regrets his impatience and asks Lennie to stay.
Despite being so different, the two men share the dream of buying
their own house.
©British Council 2015