The Grapes of Wrath Study Guide

In the excerpt from The Grapes of Wrath, what are the characters selling? Choose two options.

• belongings they cannot carry on their journey

• the house they no longer plan to live in

• extra food they have in their pantry

• assistance for people moving away

• horses they hope to get cash for

In the excerpt from The Grapes of Wrath, how does the narrator mainly feel toward those he interacts with in town?

• bitter

• grateful

• satisfied

• indifferent

According to the excerpt from The Grapes of Wrath, where is the narrator planning to travel?

• the St. Louis Fair

• the East Coast

• his hometown

• California

In the excerpt from The Grapes of Wrath, why do the characters decide to move away?

• They want to live closer to their extended family.

• They can no longer survive on their dry farmlands.

• They know that they can make more money elsewhere.

• They heard rumors that a destructive storm is approaching.

Which of these people would most likely be described as ruthless? Base your answer on the meaning of ruthless.

• a. a dictator who treats his subjects cruelly

• b. a teacher who knows little about instruction

• c. a politician who raises money for a campaign

• d. an employer who always encourages her workers

Which of the following situations best illustrates the word toil?

• a. The spring runoff made the narrow river unusually high, whirling, and murky.

• b. Unless you have exact change, you will need a special card to drive over the bridge.

• c. We bought a new shower curtain and mat to liven up the dark, dingy bathroom.

• d. All day long, the landscapers dug holes, planted bushes, and scattered mulch.

If a woman digs through her purse frantically, which of the following is most likely true? Base your answer on the meaning of frantically.

• a. She behaves in a way meant to amuse her companions.

• b. She suggests that the purse does not really belong to her.

• c. She searches for her belongings in a slow, careful way.

• d. She panics when she does not find what she seeks.

When the narrator of the selection from The Grapes of Wrath says, “You’re not buying only junk, you’re buying junked lives,” what does he mean?

• Those who buy others’ junk have little meaning in their lives.

• The people who owned the junk have lives that now seem worthless.

• Only people with bad taste would accumulate and sell such rubbish.

• The value of junk is only clear to those who learn to appreciate it.

In the excerpt from The Grapes of Wrath, what does the narrator think will happen to the characters who buy his belongings?

• They will suffer a similar fate.

• They will regret their cheapness.

• They will never use what they buy.

• They will have better luck in life.

Which of these passages from the excerpt from The Grapes of Wrath best supports the answer to Part A?

• Well, take it—all junk—and give me five dollars. You’re not buying only junk, you’re buying junked lives. And more—you’ll see—you’re buying bitterness.

• Now, what’ll you give for the team and wagon? Those fine bays, matched they are, matched in color, matched the way they walk, stride to stride.

• How much? Ten dollars? For both? And the wagon … I’d shoot ’em for dog feed first. Oh, take ’em! Take ’em quick, mister.

• We could have saved you, but you cut us down, and soon you will be cut down and there’ll be none of us to save you.