This document provides vocabulary terms and definitions from chapters 1-6 of the novel Of Mice and Men. It includes words such as cesspool, ominously, pugnacious, derogatory, mollified, derision, receptive, crestfallen, and monotonous. Definitions are provided for each vocabulary word in 1-2 sentences to aid in understanding their meaning in context from the novel.

1. Of Mice and Men
Vocabulary
Chapter 1-6
Review!

2. “Job was done,” said George promptly.
“What kinda job?”
“We . . . We was diggin’ a _________.”
Of Mice and Men
Vocabulary Pair-Share
Chapter 2

3. cesspool (noun)
a place or situation that is very dirty, evil,
or corrupt
Of Mice and Men
Vocabulary Pair-Share
Chapter 2

4. George was watching the door. He said
_________, “Well, he better watch out for
Lennie. Lennie ain’t no fighter, but Lennie’s
strong and quick and Lennie don’t know no
rules.”
Of Mice and Men
Vocabulary Pair-Share
Chapter 2

5. ominously (adverb)
suggesting that something bad is going to
happen in the future
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 2

6. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and
his hands closed into fists. He stiffened and
went into a slight crouch. His glance was at
once calculating and _________. Lennie
squirmed under the look and shifted his
feet nervously.
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 2

7. pugnacious (adjective)
showing a readiness or desire to fight or
argue
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 2

8. George studied the cards absorbedly.
“That’s a dirty thing to tell around,” he said.
The old man was reassured. He had drawn
a _________ statement from George. He
felt safe now, and he spoke more
confidently.
Of Mice and Men
Vocabulary Pair-Share
Chapter 2

9. derogatory (adjective)
expressing a low opinion of someone or
something: showing a lack of respect for
someone or something
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 2

10. “I didn’t hear nothing you guys was sayin’.
I ain’t interested in nothing you was sayin’.
A guy on a ranch don’t never listen nor he
don’t ast no questions.”
“Damn right he don’t,” said George, slightly
_________, “not if he wants to stay
workin’ long.” But he was reassured by the
swamper’s defense.
Of Mice and Men
Vocabulary Pair-Share
Chapter 2

11. mollified (verb)
to make someone less angry: to calm
someone down
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 2

12. “Although there was evening
brightness showing through the
windows of the bunk house, inside it
was dusk. Through the open door
came thuds and occasional clangs of a
horseshoe game, and now and then the
sound of voices raised in approval or
_______.”
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 3

13. derision
Insulting or ridiculing remarks.
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 3

14. “. . . if I was bright, if I was even a
little bit smart, I’d have my own little
place, an I’d be bringin’ in my own
crops, ‘stead of doin’ all the work and
not getting what comes up outta the
ground.” George fell silent. He
wanted to talk. Slim neither
encouraged nor discouraged him. He
just sat back quiet and _______.
Of Mice and Men
Vocabulary Pair-Share
Chapter 3

15. receptive
Open and listening.
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 3

16. Now Candy aroused himself. “Oh,
George! I been figurin’ and figurin’! I
got it doped out how we can even
make some money on them rabbits.
George scowled. “I thought I tol’ you
not to tell nobody about that.” Candy
was _______. “Didn’t tell nobody but
Crooks.”
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 4

17. crestfallen
Sad, shame-faced
Of Mice and Men
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Chapter 4

18. George shook himself. He said
woodenly, “If I was alone I could live
so easily.” His voice was _______, had
no emphasis. “I could get a job an’ not
have no mess.” He stopped.
Of Mice and Men
Vocabulary Pair-Share
Chapter 6

19. monotonous
All one tone; boring
Of Mice and Men
Vocabulary Pair-Share
Chapter 6