View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Jackson suggest about civic prominence in the character of Mr. Summers.
(a) That age is the criterion for civic leadership.
(b) That everyone is equal regardless of wealth.
(c) That wealth is the standard for importance.
(d) That Summers has no real power in the village.

2. What is Jackson's first element of surprise in the story?
(a) Tessie being late for the lottery.
(b) Mr. Summers changing the tradition.
(c) The boys gathering stones.
(d) Mr. Graves forgetting the stool.

3. What is on each of the children's papers?
(a) Gift certificates.
(b) A secret message.
(c) Colored pictures.
(d) Nothing. They are blank.

4. Is Mr. Summers exempt from the lottery?
(a) Yes. But he makes a pretense of drawing anyway.
(b) No. But he is the only one allowed to look into the box while drawing.
(c) Yes. Otherwise they would have to get a new administrator every year.
(d) No. He calls out his own name, too.

5. In general, what type of village is the setting of the story?
(a) A manufacturing village.
(b) A retirement village.
(c) A farming village.
(d) A mining village.

6. Why are the children running around that morning?
(a) It is Saturday and there is no school.
(b) Lottery Day is a special holiday for children.
(c) The teachers are in the lottery so they come to see them.
(d) Lottery Day is a school holiday.

7. What does Mr. Summers carry onto the village square?
(a) A black, wooden box.
(b) The book of rules.
(c) A milking stool.
(d) The village flag.

8. What is Jackson satirizing by having the children participate so willingly in the stoning?
(a) Bringing children up with adults' biases.
(b) Parents who let their children run their lives.
(c) Well behaved children.
(d) Hansel and Gretle.

9. Why can Clyde Dunbar not draw for his family?
(a) He is on duty as fireman.
(b) He is at home with a broken leg.
(c) He is in the military.
(d) He is in the hospital.

10. Has there ever been any other breaks with tradition?
(a) No. This was the first time any changed was made.
(b) Yes. The ritual chant and the special salute were discarded.
(c) Yes, the box used to be white.
(d) Yes, they used to hold the lottery only at night.

11. What does Mrs. Dunbar hold in her hands?
(a) The Hutchinson baby.
(b) More moderate stones than Mrs. Delacroix.
(c) A slingshot.
(d) A bag full of small stones.

12. Which man holds the winning paper?
(a) Bill Hutchinson.
(b) Mr. Graves.
(c) Bob Martin.
(d) Old man Warner.

13. When Mr. Summers says it is time, what does everyone do?
(a) Look at their papers and hold them up.
(b) Look at their papers and not show them.
(c) Drop their papers in the box.
(d) Tear their papers into small pieces.

14. Who needs help from Mr. Graves to open his slip?
(a) Tessie.
(b) The youngest daughter.
(c) Little Dave Hutchinson.
(d) All of the children.

15. What does Mr. Summers do as soon as he is sworn in?
(a) Faces and greets the villagers.
(b) Leads the invocation.
(c) Puts his hand on the black box three times.
(d) Bows low and receives the crown.

Short Answer Questions

1. What sound is heard as the papers are opened?

2. What element of surprise does Jackson use in the story?

3. What is Mr. Summers' position in the town?

4. Who is the first to hold up his slip of paper?

5. In the story, what idea does Shirley Jackson carefully avoid?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 642 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample