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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. The narrator's description of Mary and her husband’s home leads the reader to assume they fit into what economic bracket?

2. Where does Mary discover her dead husband lying after she returns from the store?

3. One of the officers in the kitchen says of Patrick, “The doc says his skull was smashed all to pieces just like from a” what?

4. Mary tells the police detectives that she was doing what when Patrick arrived home from work?

5. Mary is told by the policemen that her husband has been killed with what weapon?

Short Essay Questions

1. What role does Sergeant Noonan play in the ultimate plot twist of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

2. How does Roald Dahl demonstrate black humor through the act of murder in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define “foreshadowing” in narrative literature and identify examples of foreshadowing in “Lamb to the Slaughter.” What actions, events, and descriptions in the opening pages of the story indicate that a murder will take place? What purpose does the foreshadowing serve in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the significance of the names in “Lamb to the Slaughter.” Why do you think the author chooses these names for his characters? Is there symbolic significance to the names? What type of heritage do these names imply?

Essay Topic 3

Define “symbolism” in narrative literature and identify examples of symbolism in “Lamb to the Slaughter.” Symbolism can extend beyond objects and include characters and setting. How is the setting of the story symbolic? What do you think Mary and Patrick might be seen to symbolize?

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