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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. From what narrative point of view is “Lamb to the Slaughter” related?
(a) Fourth person
(b) First person
(c) Third person
(d) Second person

3. What is Sergeant Noonan’s first name in the story?
(a) Peter
(b) James
(c) Patrick
(d) Jack

4. Patrick tells Mary after he’s finished his story, “So there it is. And I know it’s kind of” what?
(a) Inconvenient
(b) A bad time to be telling you
(c) Angering
(d) A shock for you

5. Mary hides the truth about Patrick’s murder to presumably protect whom?
(a) Patrick’s lover
(b) Her secret lover
(c) Her mother
(d) Her unborn child

6. Mary is described as loving the way that Patrick remains silent about his what, in the beginning of the short story?
(a) Anger
(b) Frustration
(c) Tiredness
(d) Admiration

7. What is the officer’s reply when another says from the kitchen, "She wants us to finish it. She said so. Be doing her a favor”?
(a) Fine, I’ll take some home for my dog
(b) Okay then. Give me some more
(c) I would but I’m full
(d) Let’s just hide it in the trash

8. What word used in describing the story’s setting refers to a piece of furniture, as in a dining room, often with shelves or drawers?
(a) Sideboard
(b) Topdrawer
(c) Frontslab
(d) Rearshelf

9. Patrick tells Mary that what he has to say will be what to her in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Not what she wants to hear
(b) A bit of a shock
(c) Somewhat of a relief
(d) Potentially crushing

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

11. How does Mary greet her husband when he arrives in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Welcome home
(b) Hullo darling
(c) I missed you
(d) Hello sweetheart

12. What does Mary take when she runs downstairs after rehearsing in her room?
(a) Her hat
(b) Her shoes
(c) Her coat
(d) Her purse

13. What refers to the defense by an accused person of having been elsewhere at the time an alleged offense was committed?
(a) Alibi
(b) Sentence
(c) Prosecution
(d) Motive

14. What look in Patrick’s eyes does Mary love, as described in the beginning of “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) The specific, narrow look in his eyes
(b) The humble, keen look in his eyes
(c) The rambling, wide look in his eyes
(d) The intent, far look in his eyes

15. Mary tells the police detectives that Patrick was where when she returned from the store?
(a) Slumped over in his chair
(b) Curled up in the bathtub
(c) Sitting upright on the couch
(d) Lying on the floor

Short Answer Questions

1. After Patrick is confirmed as dead, who arrives next to Mary’s house to join the investigation?

2. One of the officers in the kitchen says of the murder weapon, “"Personally, I think it's” where?

3. When Mary gets up to leave the room after Patrick’s related his story, she cannot feel what?

4. By what name is Mary addressed by the store clerk?

5. What member of the investigative team departs after the body has been carried out on a stretcher?

(see the answer keys)

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