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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 the tone as the story begins?
(a) Cheerful, bright, and colorful.
(b) Dreary and ominous.
(c) Dry like a newspaper article.
(d) An average day with overcast sky.

2. Why do they stop using the wood chips?
(a) The village population is growing.
(b) People get splinters form the wood.
(c) They want to be more modern.
(d) Trees are getting scarce.

3. What explanation does the late comer give for being late?
(a) She forgot what day it is.
(b) She had a cake in the oven.
(c) Her clock had stopped.
(d) She overslept.

4. What sound is heard as the papers are opened?
(a) The school marching band.
(b) A collective sigh.
(c) The women speaking all at once.
(d) Nothing. It is very quiet.

5. What do some people think about discontinuing the lottery?
(a) Some people want to discontinue the lottery.
(b) Some people want to hold the lottery twice a year.
(c) Some people want to make the lottery grander.
(d) Some people want to change the date of the lottery.

Short Answer Questions

1. In general, what type of village is the setting of the story?

2. What is Old man Warner's meaning when he says lottery in June, corn harvest soon?

3. Who is the first person called to draw for the lottery?

4. What is Mrs. Hutchinson's behavior as she makes her way to her family?

5. When is the lottery held each year?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Tessie try to widen the odds of her drawing the black dot?

2. Why is Mr. Summers always in charge of the lottery every year?

3. What is Jackson saying about children in this story?

4. Have there ever been deviations from tradition in the past? What are they?

5. What is THE LOTTERY meant to satirize?

6. Until she is knocked unconscious, what does Tessie keep trying to do?

7. What happens as the stoning begins?

8. What excuse does Tessie make for being late?

9. Why is everything so organized in the village for the lottery?

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

(see the answer keys)

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