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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

What is Mr. Maloney’s occupation?

• Fire Chief

• Butcher

• Police Detective

• Grocer

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.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.W.7.1B

Mr. Maloney can be characterized as...

• Disloyal and untrustworthy

• Honorable and innocent

• Gentlemanly and kind

• Totally evil

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.W.7.9A

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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.W.7.9A

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

• Remorseful

• Clear-minded

• Shocked

• Surprised

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.4

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

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RL.7.1

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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.W.7.9A

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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.W.7.9A

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.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.W.7.1B