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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Jackson's main theme in the story?
(a) The need for change in a community.
(b) The stupidity of blindly following tradition.
(c) The value of human life.
(d) The need for tradition in small towns.

2. Who gets to go first in the second drawing?
(a) Tessie insists on drawing first.
(b) The three children draw first.
(c) The oldest son draws first.
(d) Bill draws first.

3. What is Jackson's first element of surprise in the story?
(a) The boys gathering stones.
(b) Tessie being late for the lottery.
(c) Mr. Graves forgetting the stool.
(d) Mr. Summers changing the tradition.

4. In the story, what idea does Shirley Jackson carefully avoid?
(a) The odds of winning.
(b) The time it takes to hold the lottery.
(c) Sweepstakes.
(d) Winning the lottery.

5. What serious formality occurs before the lottery begins?
(a) The swearing in of the officials.
(b) The blessing of the box.
(c) The singing of the village anthem.
(d) The pledge of allegiance.

6. What accusation does Tessie make to Joe Summers?
(a) That he cheated when he drew his own slip.
(b) That someone else should draw for him.
(c) That he goes first every year to lessen his chances of getting the dot.
(d) That he doesn't like her and arranged for her to get the dot.

7. What is in the black box?
(a) Slips of paper.
(b) Wood chips.
(c) Stones.
(d) Beans.

8. What is the tone as the story begins?
(a) Cheerful, bright, and colorful.
(b) An average day with overcast sky.
(c) Dry like a newspaper article.
(d) Dreary and ominous.

9. Where is Tessie by the time everyone has their stones?
(a) Behind Mr. Summers.
(b) In the center.
(c) Running to hide.
(d) With her family.

10. What is Tessie doing in the center of the circle of her friends, neighbors, and family?
(a) Holding out her hands and crying that it is not fair.
(b) Gloating that she is the winner.
(c) Dancing the lottery jig.
(d) Sitting on a makeshift throne.

11. Who is to draw for the Watson family?
(a) The tall Watson boy.
(b) Mr. Summers.
(c) Mr. Watson's brother.
(d) Mrs. Watson.

12. Who is the last person accounted for before the lottery begins?
(a) Old man Warner.
(b) Tessie Hutchinson.
(c) The tall Watson boy.
(d) Mrs. Dunbar.

13. Who helps hold the box to keep it steady?
(a) Mr. Graves and Mr. Summers.
(b) Mr. Martin and his son.
(c) Several of the larger boys.
(d) The mayor and the chief of police.

14. What finally happens with Tessie?
(a) She has a heart attack and dies.
(b) All the villagers stone her to death.
(c) She must dodge all the stones.
(d) She has to catch and throw back the stones.

15. When is the lottery held each year?
(a) At Thanksgiving.
(b) At the beginning of spring.
(c) Before the corn harvest.
(d) During the full moon.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jackson suggest about civic prominence in the character of Mr. Summers.

2. What element of surprise does Jackson use in the story?

3. How long has the lottery been going on?

4. How many slips do the Hutchinson's take out of the box?

5. What is being used for the first time this year?

(see the answer keys)

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