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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. Where does Mary sit in the bedroom after killing Patrick?
(a) At the foot of the bed
(b) On the side of the bed
(c) Before the mirror
(d) In front of the window

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

3. Of the murder weapon, one of the policemen in the kitchen says, "Whoever done it, they're not going to be carrying a thing like that around with them longer than they” what?
(a) Can
(b) Should
(c) Got to
(d) Need

4. Mary is told by the policemen that her husband has been killed with what weapon?
(a) A small caliber firearm
(b) A large caliber firearm
(c) A heavy blunt instrument
(d) A sharp knife

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Patrick’s profession in the short story?

2. By what name is Mary addressed by the store clerk?

3. What is Mary’s response when Patrick tells her, “Listen, I’ve got something to tell you”?

4. Where does Mary set her parcel from the store down when she enters her home?

5. Patrick tells Mary in the first half of “Lamb to the Slaughter,” “I hope you won’t blame” who too much?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What is black humor? When did black humor rise in popularity in literature and entertainment?

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

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

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

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

10. How is the concept of identity as seen in popular psychology depicted through the character of Mary in the novel?

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