"Lamb to the Slaughter" reading comprehension

Why is Mary Maloney smiling as she waits for 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.

• She has planned to trick him.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

What is Mr. Maloney's job?

• minister, member of the clergy

• fire chief

• stock broker

• police detective

• butcher

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RI.1.4

Mr. Maloney tells Mary that 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."

• "...and you mustn't be angry with Barbara..."

• "I've thought about it a good deal."

• "...there simply wasn't any other way."

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

Mr. Maloney can be best characterized as_______________

• honorable and innocent

• disloyal and untrustworthy

• gentlemanly and kind

• totally evil and scheming

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What is Mrs. Maloney's original 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 has already made for dinner.

• She thinks she should go about her business as usual and then things will be alright.

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

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

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.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

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

• remorseful

• surprised

• shocked

• determined

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

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

• frightened and shocked

• light-hearted and funny

• careful and honest

• calm and clever

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Why does Mrs. Maloney go to see Sam?

• She needs vegetables to go with the lamb she is cooking before her husband gets home.

• Patrick has decided he wants to eat dinner.

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

• She doesn't understand that her Patrick has already died.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

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, but feels nothing.

• She literally is upset and shocked by his death and clearly still loves him deeply.

• She feels indifferent (that is, she could care less) and most likely never loved him anyway.

• She feels guilty and forgives him completely for his unfaithfulness.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3