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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Jackson saying about tradition.

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

3. Who gets to go first in the second drawing?

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

5. What is being used for the first time this year?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How is the black spot finally revealed?

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

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

6. Whose name was the first to be called up for the lottery?

7. What is THE LOTTERY meant to satirize?

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

9. Are other lotteries still being held in other villages?

10. What do the villagers begin to do at that point?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Expand on the character of Mr. Summers in THE LOTTERY. Describe how you imagine his business dealings in detail and his political control over the village.

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper on surprise endings to short stories that are humorous instead of macabre. [If you do not know one, read O'Henry's THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF for this assignment.]

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper in which you are one of the villagers at the lottery. Describe your feelings as the lottery takes place. How do you feel when it is not you but Bill Hutchinson who draws the black spot? Carry this on through picking up a rock and throwing it at Tessie.

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This section contains 542 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample