Which statement best describes how the Joads interact with others while traveling?

• A. They try to keep to themselves to avoid trouble
• B. They make friends wherever they go
• C. They rarely trust strangers
• D. They never rely on charity

Answer: (B)

The traveling Joads are defined by their ability to connect with people they meet along the road. As they move from place to place, they encounter other migrants, farmers, and locals, and they open themselves to forming bonds rather than staying isolated. They share meals, offer small acts of help, trade information about routes and jobs, and accept kindness when it’s offered. These interactions create a pattern of friendship and mutual aid that carries them forward, even in tough conditions. The idea that they make friends wherever they go best captures how their journey unfolds—through cooperation, shared hardship, and generosity on both sides. They aren’t portrayed as suspicious of strangers or as entirely self-sufficient; instead, their resilience comes from building a network of people who help each other.