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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is described in the Thermos bucket in the opening of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Stagnant water
(b) Fresh ice cubes
(c) A bottle of beer
(d) A bottle of champagne

2. Who is the officer who is asked by another in the kitchen, “What do you think?”
(a) The fingerprint man
(b) Sergeant Noonan
(c) O'Malley
(d) Charlie

3. What reason does Mary give to the store clerk for her staying in tonight?
(a) The car needs repairs
(b) Patrick is tired
(c) The restaurant is closed
(d) She is feeling ill

4. When Mary leaves the store, she tells herself that she’s returning home to do what?
(a) Call her sister on the phone
(b) Finish the laundry
(c) Cook dinner for her husband
(d) Wash the dishes

5. What does Mary tell the police detectives she went to the store to buy when they question her?
(a) Wine
(b) Meat
(c) A newspaper
(d) Vegetables

6. Patrick tells Mary in the story, “I've thought about it a good deal and I've decided the only thing to do is” what?
(a) Put the baby up for adoption
(b) Tell you right away
(c) Pray for forgiveness
(d) Get a divorce

7. Before Mary commits the crime of murder, she exhibits the qualities of what archetype or stereotype in the story?
(a) The obedient housewife
(b) The loving mother
(c) The loyal maid
(d) The sassy mistress

8. Patrick tells Mary not to make supper for him for what reason in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) He’s not hungry
(b) It is too late in the day
(c) He doesn’t like her cooking
(d) He’s going out

9. What does Patrick say when Mary “began to get frightened” in the first section of the story?
(a) I don’t want any dinner
(b) Is dinner ready yet?
(c) I need another drink
(d) Just for a minute, sit down

10. One of the officers in the kitchen says “That’s a hell of a big” what that was “used to hit poor Patrick”?
(a) Club
(b) Brick
(c) Log
(d) Board

11. Patrick tells Mary after relating his story that “there needn’t really be any” what?
(a) Fuss
(b) Hatred
(c) Agony
(d) Yelling

12. What word from the story means a punishment imposed or incurred for a violation of law?
(a) Judgment
(b) Evidence
(c) Motive
(d) Penalty

13. What kind of store does Mary go to after killing Patrick?
(a) A grocery store
(b) A candy store
(c) A bookstore
(d) A taxidermy store

14. What is Mary’s presumed reason for going to the store in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) To establish an alibi
(b) She needed vegetables
(c) She was out of milk
(d) She wanted to get away from her husband

15. What murder weapon is used to kill Patrick in the story?
(a) A crow bar
(b) A knife
(c) A gun
(d) A leg of lamb

Short Answer Questions

1. From what narrative tense is “Lamb to the Slaughter” related?

2. How long does the police detective take when he goes to check Mary’s alibi at the store?

3. When Mary leaves to go to the store, it’s not yet what time?

4. How many police officers initially arrive after Mary calls the police?

5. When Sergeant Noonan offers to take Mary to another house for the night, she responds that she “didn’t feel like she could move even” how much “at the moment”?

(see the answer keys)

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