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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Mary tells the police detectives that the meat for Patrick’s dinner is where when they question her?
(a) Cooking in the oven
(b) In the freezer
(c) Thawing in the sink
(d) In the refrigerator

2. 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) Get a divorce
(d) Pray for forgiveness

3. Who is offered more as Mary listens to the policemen in the kitchen eating?
(a) Sergeant Noonan
(b) Patrick
(c) Mary
(d) Charlie

4. Mary complains about what aspect of Patrick’s job after his arrival home in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?
(a) Talking all day long
(b) Sitting in a chair behind a desk all day long
(c) Driving all day long
(d) Walking about on his feet all day long

5. How are Patrick’s legs described when Mary sees his body after returning from the store?
(a) Doubled up
(b) At right angles
(c) In a knot
(d) Straight as arrows

Short Answer Questions

1. Mary tells the police detective that she doesn’t own any items like he suggested for the murder weapon, but that there might be some things like that where?

2. According to the narrator, after Patrick tells Mary his story, “Her first instinct was to” do what?

3. Patrick’s “statement” to Mary is not detailed in the text, but is said to last now long at most?

4. “Lamb to the Slaughter” illustrates author Roald Dahl’s fascination with what literary genre?

5. What does Mary offer to get Patrick, but is turned down, after he arrives home in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

Short Essay Questions

1. What elements of the setting of “Lamb to the Slaughter” indicate the time period for the story?

2. In examining “Lamb to Slaughter” from an anthropological view of identity, what do you think Dahl’s statement is about mankind?

3. How does the author portray women and men differently in “Lamb to the Slaughter”?

4. Why does Mary giggle at the end of “Lamb to Slaughter”?

5. How does the author establish and develop tension through using sound in the beginning of the story?

6. What is significant about O’Malley’s name in “Lamb to Slaughter”?

7. How is Mary’s love for Patrick indicated through imagery in the story?

8. Where in the story does the exposition take place? What important information is revealed through the exposition?

9. How is the setting described in the first paragraph of “Lamb to Slaughter”? What items are described in the room?

10. How does the theme of betrayal apply to “Lamb to Slaughter”?

(see the answer keys)

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