View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Of the murder weapon, one of the policemen in the kitchen says that it is probably where?

2. How many notes does the police detective have when he returns from checking Mary’s alibi at the store?

3. As the search goes on, Mary knows that there are other policemen searching where?

4. Mary hides the truth about Patrick’s murder to presumably protect whom?

5. Who does Mary rehearse speaking to in her bedroom after killing Patrick?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How is the character of Patrick Maloney described in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

4. How would you compare the style of “Lamb to the Slaughter” to other horror short stories?

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

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

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

8. Where in the story does the denouement take place? What happens in the denouement?

9. What is significant about O’Malley’s name in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define “narrative point of view” and discuss the point of view of “Lamb to the Slaughter.” Is the story related in the past, present or future tense? Is the story told from a first, second, or third person point of view? How limited is the narrator’s perspective? Why do you think the author chose this narrative style?

Essay Topic 2

The climax of the story could be said to be when Mary kills Patrick. What indications show that this might be the case? What indications show that the climax happens elsewhere in the story? What risks does Mary face by calling the police? How are her actions justified?

Essay Topic 3

Irony in “Lamb to the Slaughter”

a. Define dramatic, situational, and verbal irony. What are examples of each in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

b. Why do you think the author employs irony in “Lamb to the Slaughter”? What are the effects of the irony employed?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 909 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample