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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As Mary walks home from the store, the narrator states, “Mind you, she wasn’t expecting to find anything. She was just going home with the” what?
(a) Vegetables
(b) Bread
(c) Whiskey
(d) Steak

2. What is Mary doing as she awaits her husband’s arrival in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Listening to the radio
(b) Painting
(c) Reading
(d) Sewing

3. Mary tells the police detectives that she was doing what when Patrick arrived home from work?
(a) Sewing
(b) Cleaning
(c) Singing
(d) Reading

4. How is the shape of Patrick’s mouth described in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Large
(b) Small
(c) Obtuse
(d) Funny

5. Mary tells the store clerk that Patrick has caught her without any what?
(a) Vegetables
(b) Dessert
(c) Meat
(d) Beverages

6. What member of the investigative team departs after the body has been carried out on a stretcher?
(a) Charlie
(b) The fingerprint man
(c) A police photographer
(d) A doctor

7. How does Mary reenter her home after going to the store?
(a) Through the back door
(b) Through the cellar door
(c) Through the front window
(d) Through the front door

8. Mary tells herself as she walks home from the store, “That’s the way. Do Everything” how?
(a) Right and natural
(b) Nice and stealthily
(c) Fast and accurate
(d) Tame and normal

9. What look in Patrick’s eyes does Mary love, as described in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) The specific, narrow look in his eyes
(b) The intent, far look in his eyes
(c) The rambling, wide look in his eyes
(d) The humble, keen look in his eyes

10. “Lamb to the Slaughter” was written and is presumably set in what era?
(a) The 1920s
(b) The 1930s
(c) The 1940s
(d) The 1950s

11. Mary is described as loving the way that Patrick remains silent about his what, in the beginning of the short story?
(a) Tiredness
(b) Anger
(c) Frustration
(d) Admiration

12. Before Mary commits the crime of murder, she exhibits the qualities of what archetype or stereotype in the story?
(a) The loyal maid
(b) The loving mother
(c) The sassy mistress
(d) The obedient housewife

13. Who arrives after the police detectives to investigate Patrick’s death?
(a) O'Malley
(b) Sergeant Noonan
(c) A police photographer
(d) A doctor

14. What is Mary’s response when Patrick tells her, “Listen, I’ve got something to tell you”?
(a) Could it wait until after dinner?
(b) What is it, darling? What’s the matter?
(c) Please, explain yourself
(d) Should I sit down for this?

15. What literary style that applies to “Lamb to the Slaughter” refers to the use of the grotesque, morbid, or absurd for darkly comic purposes?
(a) Black humor
(b) Metaphor
(c) Alliteration
(d) Assonance

Short Answer Questions

1. Mary tells the police detectives that Patrick was where when she returned from the store?

2. What does Mary offer to get Patrick, but is turned down, after he arrives home in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

3. Mary explains that she hasn’t made any supper for what reason in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

4. What does Mary ask Sergeant Noonan to give her as the investigation continues?

5. What are the first thoughts that Mary thinks after killing her husband?

(see the answer keys)

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