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

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

3. Who is assigned to conduct the lottery?
(a) Mr. Summers.
(b) Mr. Martin.
(c) Mr. Graves.
(d) Mr. Hutchinson.

4. What does the village look like on the morning of the lottery?
(a) It is dusty and dry with the paint peeling off the houses.
(b) It is gloomy and cold looking with gray houses.
(c) It is very metropolitan with shiny glass commercial buildings.
(d) It is in the sun with neat houses, green lawns, and flowers everywhere.

5. Who gets to go first in the second drawing?
(a) The three children draw first.
(b) Tessie insists on drawing first.
(c) The oldest son draws first.
(d) Bill draws first.

Short Answer Questions

1. What holiday is mentioned in the story that suggests this village is in America?

2. Though they do not remember all the ancient ritual, what do the villagers all remember?

3. Who tells the boys what to do on the morning of the lottery?

4. What do some people think about discontinuing the lottery?

5. What are the women doing before the lottery?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Mr. Adams discuss with Old man Warner?

2. Mostly the townspeople seem to look forward to the lottery. What comment is Jackson making on human nature at this point?

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

4. After Mrs. Dunbar has spoken up, what does Mr. Summers ask about the Watsons?

5. What formality occurs before the lottery is officially open?

6. Eventually, how do the people assemble as they wait for the lottery?

7. Describe the kind of morning it is on the day of the lottery.

8. How does Jackson draw the reader into the spirit of the lottery?

9. What does Mrs. Delacroix do to participate in the stoning?

10. Who is the second citizen of the village and what is his function in the lottery?

(see the answer keys)

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