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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Jackson's main theme in the story?
(a) The need for tradition in small towns.
(b) The need for change in a community.
(c) The stupidity of blindly following tradition.
(d) The value of human life.

2. What is revealing about the social order of the village?
(a) The women hold a superior position.
(b) The children and running around unsupervised.
(c) The men and women are not together.
(d) The men are drinking ale.

3. Is everyone present as the lottery ceremony begins?
(a) Yes, it is a crime to be late for the lottery.
(b) No, one entire family is missing.
(c) No, one woman comes running up late.
(d) Yes, they do not start until all are there.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How many people live in the village?

2. Who will participate in the ritual?

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

4. Where does Mrs. Hutchinson locate her husband and children?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is different about this year's lottery?

2. In place of the salute, what is required now of the lottery official?

3. What does Mr. Graves do at the Hutchinson family drawing?

4. What are some other town functions that Mr. Summers presides over?

5. Why does the first person called for the lists not appear?

6. What kind of lists are required for the conduct of the lottery?

7. Where are the women and what are they doing?

8. In naming the holidays observed by the village, how does Jackson hint at the macabre nature of the lottery?

9. Why is the lottery held later in the morning in this particular village?

10. What does the setting of THE LOTTERY say about the citizens of the village.

(see the answer keys)

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