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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. The final comment made by the policemen in “Lamb to the Slaughter” relates to which literary element?
(a) Onomatopoeia
(b) Assonance
(c) Irony
(d) Alliteration

2. What kind of look describes Mary’s eyes in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Placid
(b) Wondering
(c) Mourning
(d) Excited

3. What is Mary doing as she enters her home from the store?
(a) Humming and smiling
(b) Crying and thinking
(c) Laughing and giggling
(d) Frowning and praying

4. By what name does Mary call Sergeant Noonan as the investigation continues?
(a) Charlie
(b) Sam
(c) Thomas
(d) Jack

5. Who discovers a small patch of congealed blood on Patrick’s head when the police arrive?
(a) Sergeant Noonan
(b) A police photographer
(c) Charlie
(d) O'Malley

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Patrick tells Mary in the story, “I've thought about it a good deal and I've decided the only thing to do is” what?

3. When Mary leaves to go to the store, it’s not yet what time?

4. When Sergeant Noonan offers to take Mary to another house for the night, she responds that she “didn’t feel like she could move even” how much “at the moment”?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What social and cultural elements influenced the Post-War period in Western literature?

2. When does Mary appear the most emotionally vulnerable in the story? Is this emotion true or a performance?

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

4. How is the setting described in the first paragraph of “Lamb to Slaughter”? What items are described in the room?

5. How is Mary’s discussion with Sam regarding “dessert” an example of verbal irony?

6. How would you characterize Mary’s mindset as she commits murder in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

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

9. What is the motivation for the crime committed in “Lamb to Slaughter”? How is this motivation established in the beginning of the story?

10. Where in the story does the exposition take place? What important information is revealed through the exposition?

(see the answer keys)

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