Exploring Roald Dahl's Lamb to the Slaughter

Mary Maloney, a pregnant housewife, awaits her husband Patrick's return. Upon his arrival, Patrick reveals shocking news, leading Mary to kill him with a frozen leg of lamb. She then devises a plan to cover up the murder, creating an alibi by visiting the grocery store. When the police arrive to investigate, they are unaware that the murder weapon is cooking in the oven. Mary successfully deceives the officers, who unknowingly consume the evidence, leaving her crime undiscovered.

What was Mary Maloney doing while waiting for her husband to come home?

• Reading a book

• Sewing

• Cooking dinner

• Watching TV

What was the first thing Mary did when Patrick came home?

• She took his coat

• She made him a drink

• She asked about his day

• She served dinner

How did Patrick behave when he arrived home?

• He was tired and quiet

• He was cheerful and talkative

• He was excited and energetic

• He was angry and irritable

What unusual action did Patrick take with his drink?

• He poured it down the sink

• He drank it all in one gulp

• He spilled it

• He refused to drink it

What did Patrick reveal to Mary that shocked her?

• He was ill

• He was moving to another city

• He was leaving her

• He lost his job

What did Mary use to kill Patrick?

• A metal rod

• A frozen leg of lamb

• A gun

• A knife

Where did Mary go after killing Patrick?

• To her neighbor's house

• To the grocery store

• To the police station

• To a friend's house

What did Mary tell the grocer about her plans for dinner?

• She was baking a cake

• She was cooking a leg of lamb

• She was ordering takeout

• She was making a salad

How did the police treat Mary during the investigation?

• They were suspicious of her

• They were harsh and accusatory

• They were kind and supportive

• They ignored her

What ironic action did the police take at the end of the story?

• They arrested Mary

• They found the murder weapon

• They ate the leg of lamb

• They solved the case