Test "Lamb to the Slaughter"

At the beginning of the story, Mary Maloney is ____.

• plotting to kill her husband

• thinking about what to make for dinner

• happily waiting for her husband

• worried that her husband has let her down

From Mary’s dialogue, the reader knows that her husband _____.

• is unemployed

• is a police officer

• works at the grocery story

• sells life insurance

The reader can reasonably infer that Patrick informs his wife ___.

• that he was fired

• that he is leaving her

• that he was offered a promotion

• that they are moving

What are Mary’s first thoughts after killing her husband?

• All right. So I’ve killed him.

• Oh dear lord what have I done.

• He deserved it.

• I must call the police.

The real reason that Mary goes shopping for groceries is ____.

• to obtain food for dinner

• she wants to confess to Sam

• she needs some fresh air

• she needs to create an alibi

One of the police officers believes that the murder weapon was ____.

• a sharp knife

• poison

• a heavy blunt object

• a gun

Which of the following shows situational irony?

• Calm, loving Mary violently kills her husband

• The police officer goes to the grocer’s

• Patrick is a police officer

• The doctor says that Patrick’s skull was smashed.

Dramatic irony takes place when ____.

• Mary tells the detectives that she would like a drink

• The detectives are eating the leg of lamb and the reader knows that they are eating the weapon, but they don’t

• Mary feels too ill to leave

• Mary goes to the grocer's

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

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

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

• "I'll give you money and see that you are looked after."

• "It wouldn't be very good for my job."

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

• clever and smart

• funny and joyful

• honest and truthful

• frightened and shocked