Lamb to Slaughter

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

• She knows she will get even with him that night.
• She loves him and always finds his return a “blissful time of day.”
• 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 have a drink of whiskey with him.

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What is Mr. Maloney’s job?

• Minister, member of the clergy
• Police detective
• Butcher
• Stock broker

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

• “I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after.”
• “It wouldn’t be very good for my job.”
• “I’ve thought about it a good deal.”
• “…there simply wasn’t any other way.”

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

• 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 should go about her business as usual and then things will be all right.
• She thinks she can win Patrick back with her cooking.

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What is Mrs. Maloney’s reaction as her husband gives his “news” to her?

• She goes from anger to horror.
• She goes from horror to disbelief.
• She goes from bliss to fury.
• She becomes violent immediately.

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

• Remorseful
• Surprised
• Clear-minded
• Shocked

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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
• Resolute and clever

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Why does Mrs. Maloney go to see Sam?

• She needs vegetables to go with the lamb.
• Patrick has decided he wants to eat dinner.
• She needs someone such as Sam to be a witness that she was out of the house when the murder was committed.
• She doesn’t understand that Patrick is already dead.

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

• She pretends she is very upset.
• She literally is upset and shocked and even feels love for him.
• She feels indifferent (that is, she couldn’t care less).
• 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 as the murderer?

• The police go off to question the grocer about her alibi.
• They never suspect her at all.
• They check the house for her fingerprints.
• They tell her they are looking for the weapon.

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