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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. From what narrative tense is “Lamb to the Slaughter” related?
(a) Past tense
(b) Present tense
(c) Future imperfect tense
(d) Present possessive tense

2. One of the policemen says to Mary, “It’s the old story. Get the weapon, and you’ve got” what?
(a) The answers
(b) More questions
(c) A good lead
(d) The man

3. What reason does Mary give to the store clerk for her staying in tonight?
(a) Patrick is tired
(b) The car needs repairs
(c) The restaurant is closed
(d) She is feeling ill

4. How does Mary kill her husband in the story?
(a) She poisons him
(b) She strangles him
(c) She shoots him in the chest
(d) She hits him over the head

5. Where does Mary say there’s “plenty of meat and stuff” after Patrick’s arrival?
(a) In the freezer
(b) In the garage
(c) In the cabinets
(d) In the cellar

Short Answer Questions

1. How are Mary’s eyes described in the story?

2. What is the store clerk’s response when Mary asks him if he thinks her dinner will be all right despite being cooked from frozen?

3. How is the shape of Patrick’s mouth described in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

4. What is Mary’s last name in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

5. “Lamb to the Slaughter” was written and is presumably set in what era?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where in the story does the denouement take place? What happens in the denouement?

2. In examining “Lamb to Slaughter” from an anthropological view of identity, what do you think Dahl’s statement is about mankind?

3. How is Mary’s transformation metaphorically depicted in her descent into the cellar?

4. Who is Sergeant Noonan in the story? When does he arrive in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

5. What appear to be Patrick’s motivations and desires in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

6. What ultimate irony is presented at the end of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

7. Why does Mary giggle at the end of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

8. What crucial information to the story is omitted? Why do you think the author omitted these details?

9. At what point in the story is Mary’s sense of identity shattered? What does she do to regain her sense of identity?

10. What do you think the outcome will be for Mary based on the ending of the story?

(see the answer keys)

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