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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. What does the village look like on the morning of the lottery?

2. What does everyone get at this point?

3. How do they list the villagers before the lottery begins?

4. What do some people think about discontinuing the lottery?

5. What explanation does the late comer give for being late?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to the rules of the lottery, how long does the stoning go on?

2. As Tessie continues to voice her objections, what does her husband do?

3. How does Jackson make the scene seem like a normal village fair?

4. Mostly the townspeople seem to look forward to the lottery. What comment is Jackson making on human nature at this point?

5. How does Tessie further disrupt the proceedings?

6. As Mr. Summers turns to face the gathered villagers, what disturbance occurs?

7. Who is called after Mrs. Dunbar, showing that no one is left out of the lottery?

8. What is Jackson saying about children in this story?

9. Are other lotteries still being held in other villages?

10. After Mrs. Dunbar has spoken up, what does Mr. Summers ask about the Watsons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write a paper about how children might be affected by the violence of the lottery. What will Davie Hutchinson be like when he is a teenager?

Essay Topic 2

Write a paper where the towns people hold a meeting to decide if they will do away with the lottery. Use the characters from Shirley Jackson's story. Who, besides Old man Warner, will oppose the idea of doing away with it?

Essay Topic 3

Do some research and write a paper that briefly describes cultures that have held human sacrifices. Identify, if possible, their reasons for doing so.

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This section contains 552 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample