View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does everyone get at this point?

2. Why do they stop using the wood chips?

3. What is Jackson's main theme in the story?

4. In a large village, how long might the lottery last?

5. Who needs help from Mr. Graves to open his slip?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What excuse does Tessie make for being late?

3. Who participates in the subsequent activity?

4. As Tessie continues to voice her objections, what does her husband do?

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

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

7. How does Jackson make the scene seem like a normal village fair?

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

9. How are people dressed for this annual event?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a paper on how well written short stories hold the interest of the reader including the fact that they can be read in one sitting.

Essay Topic 2

Write two or three paragraphs on the character of Mrs. Delacroix. Use your imagination to explain why she selected the largest stone she could find to throw at Tessie.

Essay Topic 3

Write a paper comparing THE LOTTERY with the infamous Salem witch trials. What is the common psychological thread that runs through the people of the village and the citizens of Salem intent on removing witches?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 475 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample