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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. What look in Patrick’s eyes does Mary love, as described in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

2. “Lamb to the Slaughter” illustrates author Roald Dahl’s fascination with what literary genre?

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

4. What is Sergeant Noonan’s first name in the story?

5. One of the officers in the kitchen says “That’s a hell of a big” what that was “used to hit poor Patrick”?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Sam? What role does he play in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

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

3. What is the motivation for the crime committed in “Lamb to Slaughter”? How is this motivation established in the beginning of the story?

4. What central injustices mark the narrative of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

5. How is the setting described in the first paragraph of “Lamb to Slaughter”? What items are described in the room?

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss Sergeant Jack Noonan in “Lamb to the Slaughter.” How tall is Noonan? How is his behavior characterized? Is Noonan’s character portrayed directly or indirectly in the text? What role does Noonan play in the plot of the story?

Essay Topic 2

Define situational, verbal, and dramatic irony and discuss examples of each in the narrative. How is Mary’s conversation with Sam the grocer ironic? Is this an example of dramatic or verbal irony? What type of irony is illustrated in the end of the story?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the theme of betrayal in “Lamb to the Slaughter.” How is this theme illustrated through the actions of Mary and of Patrick? What symbolism does the author use to reinforce this theme? How does betrayal relate to the other prominent themes in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

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