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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What word from the story refers to a state of being desperate or wild with excitement, passion or fear?
(a) Wonder
(b) Astonishment
(c) Grief
(d) Frantic

2. What is Mary’s response when the police officer on the phone asks, “Who’s speaking?”
(a) It’s Mary Maloney
(b) Patrick’s wife, Mary
(c) Mary M., Maloney, that is
(d) Mrs. Maloney. Mrs. Patrick Maloney

3. What does Patrick say when Mary “began to get frightened” in the first section of the story?
(a) Just for a minute, sit down
(b) I don’t want any dinner
(c) I need another drink
(d) Is dinner ready yet?

4. The narrator states that Mary “loved to” do what “in the presence of this man” (Patrick) in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Entertain
(b) Philosophize
(c) Pray
(d) Luxuriate

5. What word from the short story refers to the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers?
(a) Tolerance
(b) Hospitality
(c) Parade
(d) Rebuttal

6. Mary’s feelings for her husband in the beginning of the story are defined in which way?
(a) Mary is enraged at her husband
(b) Mary fears her husband
(c) Mary adores her husband
(d) Mary detests her husband

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

8. Sergeant Noonan discovers that what is still on in the kitchen?
(a) Mary’s lights
(b) Mary’s blender
(c) Mary’s toaster
(d) Mary’s oven

9. What does Mary take when she runs downstairs after rehearsing in her room?
(a) Her coat
(b) Her hat
(c) Her purse
(d) Her shoes

10. What color is Patrick’s second drink that he makes for himself described as?
(a) Dark amber
(b) Light brown
(c) Light crimson
(d) Black

11. What is the first thing that Mary says after Patrick has related his story in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Get out of here
(b) I’ll get the supper
(c) I have laundry to do
(d) I am in shock

12. Where was author Roald Dahl born?
(a) Russia
(b) Norway
(c) Wales
(d) Poland

13. What kind of store does Mary go to after killing Patrick?
(a) A candy store
(b) A grocery store
(c) A taxidermy store
(d) A bookstore

14. What is a prominent literary element in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Onomatopoeia
(b) Symbolism
(c) Repetitive verse
(d) Literary allusion

15. How is the drink that Mary mixes for herself described in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Ice cold
(b) Strong
(c) Just right
(d) Weak

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Mary’s presumed reason for going to the store in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

2. What time does the clock say when Mary begins to listen for her husband’s arrival in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

3. What is the officer’s reply when another says from the kitchen, "She wants us to finish it. She said so. Be doing her a favor”?

4. How long does the police detective take when he goes to check Mary’s alibi at the store?

5. From what narrative tense is “Lamb to the Slaughter” related?

(see the answer keys)

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