Lamb to the Slaughter Quiz

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.”

What is Mr. Maloney’s job?

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

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.”

Mr. Maloney can be characterized as ___________

• Honorable and innocent

• Selfish and disinterested

• Gentlemanly and kind

• Totally evil

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

• She wants to use it to hit Patrick.

• 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.

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.

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

• Remorseful

• Surprised

• Clear-minded

• Shocked

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

What do the police do with the murder weapon?

• They eat it without knowing it is the murder weapon.
• They leave it in the garage.
• They eat it although they know it is the murder weapon.
• Nothing.  They never find the spanner.

The sequence of events in a story or novel is called the ________. 

• action
• conflict 
• setting
• plot