The Lottery (ALPS)

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 human trait does Shirley Jackson criticize in this story?

• Greed

• Arrogance

• Conformity

• Curiosity

The main theme of this story emphasizes

• The foolishness of blindly following tradition

• The value placed on human life.

• The importance of tradition and faith in small towns

• The need for change in society

The young boys in the town are collecting and stockpiling rocks before the lottery takes place in the town square. How does Jackson use this event as an element of foreshadowing to the culminating events?

• The children collecting stones appears to be innocent child’s play, but it is actually a clue to the violent event that occurs at the end of the story.

• It is not an example of foreshadowing

• It is a clue as to how the children disappear

• It's an example of personification.

In literature, the color black often symbolizes death. Explain the symbolism of the black box and elaborate on the symbolism of the box’s battered condition.

• The black box represents the future of the residents in the town.

• The black box represents the winner of "The Lottery"

• The black box holds the “winning” paper that will result in someone’s death. The box is black to symbolize the approaching death and the battered condition symbolizes the stoning that will ensue after the lottery

• The black box symbolizes new beginnings.

Why did the author most likely include the character of Old Man Warner?

• To ridicule angry, older people

• To demonstrate the power of a tradition like the lottery

• To show that the lottery is necessary for the village’s survival

• To establish a villain in the story

The description of the lottery in paragraph 1 is meant to make the reader feel —

• suspicious about the true meaning of the lottery.

• certain something bad will happen.

• that the lottery is a pleasant tradition.

Which of the following describes a theme of the text?

• 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.

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

What is symbolized by the black dot?

• Faith

• Mankind

• Death

• Happiness

How does the mood CHANGE from the beginning of "The Lottery" to its conclusion?

• It doesn't change.

• The mood goes from bright and lighthearted to dark and disturbing

• The mood changes from silly to sad

• The mood changes from depressing and dark to uplifting and happy