The Lottery

In the story, the lottery is put in the same category as “the square dances, the teenage club, the Halloween program” and other “civic activities” (lines 38–40). Based on these ideas, how do you expect the winner of the lottery to feel?

• bored

• curious

• fearful

• happy

Which statement best describes the history of the lottery in the village?

• It is a ritual unchanged since its beginnings.

• It is a tradition as old as the village itself.

• It is a recent plan to raise money for the village.

• It is a tradition unique to this particular village.

What phrase best describes the mood the author tries to create in the story?

• dread and surprise

• excitement and happiness

• peace and anticipation

• sadness and boredom

When talking about people who suggest the lottery should be given up, Old Man Warner says, “Used to be a saying about ‘Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.’ First thing you know, we’d all be eating stewed chickweed and acorns” (lines 197–199). What can you infer about the purpose of the lottery from these lines?

• It provides money to support farmers.

• It tells farmers when to plant.

• It determines what crops should be planted.

• It helps ensure a good harvest.

Why does Mrs. Hutchinson say that the lottery drawing is unfair?

• Her family is excluded from the drawing.

• She arrives too late to draw a slip of paper.

• She knows the result of the lottery is bad.

• She wants her friend to have another chance.

What human trait does Shirley Jackson criticize in this story?

• arrogance

• conformity

• curiosity

• greed

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Which of the following describes a theme of the text?

• Even if something is cruel, people have the tendency to follow the crowd and participate.

• Sometimes a few people must be sacrificed to ensure the group’s survival.

• Important decisions should not be made by lotteries.

• Traditions help people understand the past.

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PART A: What does Old Man Warner’s character represent in the text?

• people’s desire to cling to traditions

• people’s fear of change

• people’s violent tendencies

• people’s fear of death

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PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

• “and the black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old Man Warner, the oldest man in town, was born.” (Paragraph 5)

• “‘Next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live that way for a while.’” (Paragraph 32)

• “‘There’s always been a lottery,’ he added petulantly. ‘Bad enough to see young Joe Summers up there joking with everybody.’” (Paragraph 32)

• “‘Seventy-seventh year I been in the lottery,’ Old Man Warner said as he went through the crowd. ‘Seventy-seventh time.’” (Paragraph 40)

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How does the detail “And someone gave little Davy Hutchinson a few pebbles” contribute to the text

• It emphasizes that the children no longer understand the violence of the lottery.

• It shows that Davy doesn’t like his mother and wishes to hurt her.

• It reveals that no one expects Davy to seriously injure his mother.

• It stresses that everyone participates in the lottery, even Mrs. Hutchinson’s son.

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