Lamb to the Slaughter

Why is Mary Maloney smiling as she waits for her husband’s return at the beginning of the story?

• She loves him and always finds his return a “blissful time of the day.”

• She has planned to kill him.

• She knows he won’t speak to her for a while, and she is looking forward to the peace and quiet.

• She likes being able to enjoy a drink with him.

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What is Mr. Maloney’s occupation?

• Fire Chief

• Butcher

• Police Detective

• Grocer

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Mr. Maloney tells Mary he hopes she will not fuss about his decision. How does he justify his demand?

• “I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after.”

• ”I’ve thought about it a great deal.”

• “...there simply wasn’t any other way.”

• “It wouldn’t be very good for my job.”

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Mr. Maloney can be characterized as...

• Disloyal and untrustworthy

• Honorable and innocent

• Gentlemanly and kind

• Totally evil

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What is Mrs. Maloney’s motive for going to get the lamb from the freezer?

• She thinks that she should go about her business as usual and things will be all right.

• She wants to use it to hit Patrick.

• She is nauseated at the idea of eating what she already made for dinner.

• She thinks she can win Patrick back with her cooking.

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Which word does NOT describe Mrs. Maloney’s immediate reaction to realizing she has killed her husband?

• Remorseful

• Clear-minded

• Shocked

• Surprised

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Which pair of words best describes Mrs. Maloney’s actions after she kills her husband?

• Frightened and Shocked

• Light-Hearted and Funny

• Careful and Honest

• Sneaky and Clever

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Why does Mrs. Maloney go to see Sam?

• She needs someone, such as Sam, to be a witness that she was out of the house when the murder was committed.

• She needs vegetables to go with the lamb.

• Patrick wants her to cook dinner and not go out.

• She doesn’t understand that Patrick is already dead.

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When Mrs. Maloney returns home from the grocery store and sees Patrick’s dead body on the floor, how does she feel?

• She pretends to be very upset.

• She feels indifferent (that is, she couldn’t care less).

• She is visibly upset and even feels love for him.

• She feels guilty and forgives him completely for being unfaithful.

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What evidence is there that the police have not ruled out Mrs. Maloney was the murderer?

• The police go off to question the grocer about her alibi.

• They never even check out her alibi.

• They check the house for her fingerprints.

• They tell her they are looking for the weapon.

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