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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Old man Warner's meaning when he says lottery in June, corn harvest soon?
(a) He thinks the lottery magically makes the harvest good.
(b) He judges time by the lottery.
(c) He sees the lottery as a way to fill time until the harvest.
(d) He thinks that June is too soon for the lottery.

2. What is the tone as the story begins?
(a) Dreary and ominous.
(b) Cheerful, bright, and colorful.
(c) Dry like a newspaper article.
(d) An average day with overcast sky.

3. In general, what type of village is the setting of the story?
(a) A mining village.
(b) A manufacturing village.
(c) A retirement village.
(d) A farming village.

4. What does Mrs. Dunbar hold in her hands?
(a) A bag full of small stones.
(b) The Hutchinson baby.
(c) A slingshot.
(d) More moderate stones than Mrs. Delacroix.

5. What does Tessie's paper mean?
(a) She is out of the lottery.
(b) She will have to draw again.
(c) She gets to select the winner.
(d) She has been chosen.

6. What is Jackson's main theme in the story?
(a) The need for change in a community.
(b) The value of human life.
(c) The stupidity of blindly following tradition.
(d) The need for tradition in small towns.

7. What are the men doing before it is time for the lottery to begin?
(a) Standing in a group but not talking.
(b) Standing in a group talking about tractors and rain.
(c) Standing together and talking politics.
(d) Standing together and talking about women.

8. What does Tessie try to do before Bill draws for the family?
(a) Stand where the newspaper photographer can get her photo.
(b) Run home to change clothes.
(c) Find her three children to stand with their father.
(d) Include her daughter's family in the drawing.

9. When is the lottery held each year?
(a) During the full moon.
(b) At the beginning of spring.
(c) At Thanksgiving.
(d) Before the corn harvest.

10. Who is assigned to conduct the lottery?
(a) Mr. Martin.
(b) Mr. Hutchinson.
(c) Mr. Graves.
(d) Mr. Summers.

11. In the story, what idea does Shirley Jackson carefully avoid?
(a) The time it takes to hold the lottery.
(b) Sweepstakes.
(c) The odds of winning.
(d) Winning the lottery.

12. Which stones are the most prized for use in the lottery?
(a) Shiny, decorative ones.
(b) Smooth, round ones.
(c) Heavy, flat ones.
(d) Hard, jagged ones.

13. Has there ever been any other breaks with tradition?
(a) Yes, they used to hold the lottery only at night.
(b) Yes. The ritual chant and the special salute were discarded.
(c) Yes, the box used to be white.
(d) No. This was the first time any changed was made.

14. Where is Tessie by the time everyone has their stones?
(a) In the center.
(b) Running to hide.
(c) Behind Mr. Summers.
(d) With her family.

15. What accusation does Tessie make to Joe Summers?
(a) That someone else should draw for him.
(b) That he doesn't like her and arranged for her to get the dot.
(c) That he cheated when he drew his own slip.
(d) That he goes first every year to lessen his chances of getting the dot.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Jackson suggest about civic prominence in the character of Mr. Summers.

2. What is stressed as important to the lottery all through the story?

3. What does the lottery hint at?

4. Who needs help from Mr. Graves to open his slip?

5. How long has the lottery been going on?

(see the answer keys)

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