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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the meat from the freezer wrapped in?

2. Who discovers a small patch of congealed blood on Patrick’s head when the police arrive?

3. Patrick is described as sitting how in a chair in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

4. How is Patrick said to travel in relation to Mary as he relates his story in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

5. Where does Mary exit the home after killing Patrick?

Short Essay Questions

1. What characteristics define Mary Maloney in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

2. How is the character of Patrick Maloney described in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

3. What ultimate irony is presented at the end of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

4. How is the theme of passivity in “Lamb to the Slaughter” illustrated through Mary’s character?

5. How is Mary’s love for Patrick indicated through imagery in the story?

6. What is the central example of dramatic irony in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

7. What conversation between Mary and Sergeant Noonan leads to the destruction of the evidence in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

8. Whom does Mary call after “discovering” the body? What happens next in the story?

9. What is the motivation for the crime committed in “Lamb to Slaughter”? How is this motivation established in the beginning of the story?

10. Why does Mary giggle at the end of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define situational, verbal, and dramatic irony and discuss examples of each in the narrative. How is Mary’s conversation with Sam the grocer ironic? Is this an example of dramatic or verbal irony? What type of irony is illustrated in the end of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and discuss Sergeant Jack Noonan in “Lamb to the Slaughter.” How tall is Noonan? How is his behavior characterized? Is Noonan’s character portrayed directly or indirectly in the text? What role does Noonan play in the plot of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the character of Sam in the story. What role does Sam play in Mary’s plot? How important is Sam’s character to the narrative? How frequently do you think Mary sees Sam? Is he a good witness as to her character?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 845 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample