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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter Abstracts.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Mr. Summers carry onto the village square?
(a) The village flag.
(b) The book of rules.
(c) A milking stool.
(d) A black, wooden box.

2. What does Jackson hint in the story when Tessie is very late arriving?
(a) That Tessie is always late for everything.
(b) That Tessie has a premonition of something bad.
(c) That Tessie is not originally from the village.
(d) That Tessie is a scatter brain.

3. Is everyone present as the lottery ceremony begins?
(a) Yes, they do not start until all are there.
(b) No, one woman comes running up late.
(c) Yes, it is a crime to be late for the lottery.
(d) No, one entire family is missing.

4. What is happening when they make any change in the lottery procedure?
(a) It is nothing drastic in the minds of the villagers.
(b) It makes the tradition stronger.
(c) The people are becoming better educated.
(d) It is a break with tradition.

5. What is the instruction given to the villagers about what to do after they have drawn?
(a) They are not to look at thier papers untill all have drawn.
(b) They are to show their papers to everyone.
(c) They are to look at their papers but not show anyone else.
(d) They are to register with Mr. Graves as having drawn.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why are people gathering in the town square?

2. What is Tessie doing in the center of the circle of her friends, neighbors, and family?

3. What does Tessie's paper mean?

4. In the story, what idea does Shirley Jackson carefully avoid?

5. What is in the black box?

(see the answer key)

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