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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Tessie doing in the center of the circle of her friends, neighbors, and family?
(a) Dancing the lottery jig.
(b) Holding out her hands and crying that it is not fair.
(c) Sitting on a makeshift throne.
(d) Gloating that she is the winner.

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

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

4. 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 Summers has no real power in the village.
(d) That wealth is the standard for importance.

5. Why does Tessie try to add her daughter's family to Bill Hutchinson's second drawing?
(a) She wants her daughter to have a chance to win, too.
(b) The more people in the drawing, the greater chance she has of not getting the dot.
(c) She feels the need to have all her family with her.
(d) She is trying to get the whole thing done over.

6. How long has the lottery been going on?
(a) For the last five years.
(b) Since before people arrived from Europe.
(c) Over several generations.
(d) Since the Pilgrims.

7. What does Tessie do with her paper?
(a) She looks at it and is dissapointed that hers is not the one.
(b) She holds it behind her back.
(c) She puts it in her purse.
(d) She runs around showing it to all the women.

8. What is the date of the lottery?
(a) June 27th
(b) February 2nd
(c) July 4th
(d) April 1st

9. What type of story is THE LOTTERY?
(a) A comedy.
(b) A history.
(c) A drama.
(d) A satire.

10. What is the procedure after Bill reveals that his family is the one?
(a) The youngest Hutchinson will claim the prize.
(b) The village people will vote for their favorite Hutchinson family member.
(c) The Hutchinson family will draw straws to see who takes the prize.
(d) Slips will be put in the box for every member of the Hutchinson family.

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

12. What holiday is mentioned in the story that suggests this village is in America?
(a) Groundhog Day.
(b) Halloween.
(c) The 4th of July.
(d) Christmas.

13. Why is everyone participating, even the Hutchinson children?
(a) Because they have nothing better to do.
(b) Because it is a village activity.
(c) Because they will be jailed if they do not.
(d) Because they are all hypnotized.

14. What is Mrs. Hutchinson's behavior as she makes her way to her family?
(a) Perplexed and confused.
(b) Laughing and apologizing for being late.
(c) Anxious and in a hurry.
(d) Somber and angry.

15. What is in the black box?
(a) Slips of paper.
(b) Stones.
(c) Beans.
(d) Wood chips.

Short Answer Questions

1. What explanation does the late comer give for being late?

2. What is Mr. Zanini's distinction at the lottery?

3. What is Jackson's first element of surprise in the story?

4. Who is assigned to conduct the lottery?

5. How does Jackson suggest that tradition may be questioned?

(see the answer keys)

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