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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 helps hold the box to keep it steady?

2. What is the irony of Tessie Hutchinson drawing the black dot?

3. Who is the last person accounted for before the lottery begins?

4. What is happening when they make any change in the lottery procedure?

5. Why do they stop using the wood chips?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Old man Warner's response to Mr. Adams suggestion of doing away with the lottery?

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

4. What kind of lists are required for the conduct of the lottery?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper on what you believe Shirley Jackson is satirizing in THE LOTTERY. Explain whether you think there is a religious undertone to the story.

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 560 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample