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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How is the room that Mary waits in described in the opening of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Dark but dirty
(b) Cold and dirty
(c) Dark but clean
(d) Warm and clean

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

3. One of the police detectives asks Mary if anything in the house could have been used as a weapon and if she will take a look around to see if anything is missing. What items does he suggest?
(a) A frying pan or a fire poker
(b) A big spanner or a heavy metal vase
(c) A hammer or a shovel
(d) A brick or a rock

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What look in Patrick’s eyes does Mary love, as described in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

3. Mary is awaiting her husband’s arrival from where in the opening of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

4. “Lamb to the Slaughter” was initially rejected by what periodical for publication?

5. How is Mary said to feel as she comes out of her shock after killing Patrick in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would you compare the style of “Lamb to the Slaughter” to other horror short stories?

2. How do Mary’s actions after the murder resemble those of an actor preparing for a role?

3. How does the author portray women and men differently in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

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

5. How is Biblical allusion depicted through the title of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

6. Whose point of view does the narrative of “Lamb to Slaughter” revolve around?

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

8. What is significant about O’Malley’s name in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

9. What action does Patrick commit in “Lamb to Slaughter” to propel the action of the story forward?

10. What differences can be seen between the 1950s society in the short story and society today?

(see the answer keys)

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