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

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

3. Has there ever been any other breaks with tradition?

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

5. How do they assemble when it is time to begin the ceremony?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is THE LOTTERY meant to satirize?

5. Why does Mrs. Dunbar come forward to draw in place of her husband?

6. Who do they look for before continuing with the lottery?

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

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

9. How does the Martin family make the scene appear like a gathering of everyday families?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do some research and write a paper that briefly describes cultures that have held human sacrifices. Identify, if possible, their reasons for doing so.

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 few paragraphs about fear of the unknown. Think of a time when you were anxious because you did not know what was going to happen. Then write down what you were afraid of and whether your fears were real or unfounded.

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This section contains 519 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample