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

2. What “unusual” thing does Patrick do after he arrives home in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) He lies down in bed
(b) He sits outside on the porch
(c) He downs his drink in one swallow
(d) He goes out to the garage

3. What dessert does Mary purchase at the store?
(a) Iced cream
(b) Lemon cake
(c) Cheesecake
(d) Apple pie

4. What is described as being “twisted back underneath [Patrick’s] body” when Mary returns home from the store?
(a) Patrick’s foot
(b) Patrick’s neck
(c) Patrick’s arm
(d) Patrick’s leg

5. 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”?
(a) Okay then. Give me some more
(b) Fine, I’ll take some home for my dog
(c) Let’s just hide it in the trash
(d) I would but I’m full

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator compares “that warm male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone together” to what in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

2. Where in “Lamb to the Slaughter” does the rising action take place?

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

4. What is Mary doing as she awaits her husband’s arrival in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

5. Mary tells the police detective that she doesn’t own any items like he suggested for the murder weapon, but that there might be some things like that where?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the theme of betrayal apply to “Lamb to Slaughter”?

2. What elements of the setting of “Lamb to the Slaughter” indicate the time period for the story?

3. How is Mary’s love for Patrick indicated through imagery in the story?

4. What foreshadowing can be seen in the curtains as described in the first paragraph of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

6. Where does the rising action take place in the narrative? What happens in the rising action of the story?

7. How would you characterize Sergeant Noonan’s behavior toward Mary in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

8. How did “Lamb to Slaughter” fit in with the popular fiction of the era when it was published?

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

10. What symbolism surrounds the murder weapon in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

(see the answer keys)

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