1. A. a talented mule skinner possessing a quiet wisdom.
2. A. as a point of tension in the plot's rising action.
Curley's character always brings tension. The men do not like having him around because he is always picking fights. He definitely does not offer any hope or comedic relief.
3. D. foreshadowing
Curley's wife is also described as having soft qualities. This similarity between her and the soft things Lennie likes to pet foreshadows that at some point Lennie will want to pet her. We know that this will not be well received by Curley.
4. age and handicap
Candy and his dog represent age and handicap. What do you do with someone or an animal when they are no longer useful? Candy's dog is put down. Can you put down a person if he is no longer useful?
5. B. Lennie seems very taken by Curley's beautiful but flirtatious wife.
This goes back to number 3.
6. B. In a dialog with Slim, George confesses a secret to him.
George tells Slim what happened with Lennie in Weed. This shows that George trusts Slim and respects his opinion.
7. one of the author's recurring themes for his book is the theme of loneliness
The men in the bunkhouse are shown as being lonely even though they have each other. On Saturdays they often go into town to drown their loneliness in alcohol and women.
8. D. George's voice deepens and he repeats his words in a lilting rhythm.
At the end of chapter 1, George tells the story of what their future holds. The text specifically states that his voice deepens and he speaks in a rhythm.
9. repeatedly pleads with George to tell him the story about the rabbits
Lennie loves the story about the rabbits because Lennie loves to pet soft things. In the story, the men have a ranch with rabbits that Lennie will be responsible for tending to.
