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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) Irony
(b) Assonance
(c) Onomatopoeia
(d) Alliteration

2. What kind of meat does Mary take from the freezer in the story?
(a) A leg of lamb
(b) A venison roast
(c) A whole salmon
(d) A string of sausages

3. Mary is described as loving the way that Patrick remains silent about his what, in the beginning of the short story?
(a) Admiration
(b) Tiredness
(c) Anger
(d) Frustration

4. Patrick tells Mary after relating his story that “there needn’t really be any” what?
(a) Yelling
(b) Agony
(c) Fuss
(d) Hatred

5. By what name is Mary addressed by the store clerk?
(a) Mary
(b) Mrs. M.
(c) Miss Mary
(d) Mrs. Maloney

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Mary’s presumed reason for going to the store in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

2. What does Mary take when she runs downstairs after rehearsing in her room?

3. How many police officers initially arrive after Mary calls the police?

4. What is the first sound that Mary hears of her husband’s arrival in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

5. What does Mary attempt to do when Patrick tells her to “sit down” after he arrives home in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is “climax” defined? Where in “Lamb to the Slaughter” does the climax occur?

2. What is foreshadowed by Patrick’s action of downing of his drink in the story?

3. What characteristics define Mary Maloney in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

5. What is the central example of dramatic irony in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

6. How does the author establish and develop tension through using sound in the beginning of the story?

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

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

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 can be seen as ironic in Mary’s ability to evade suspicion and prosecution in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

(see the answer keys)

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