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"Lamb to the Slaughter" - Review

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

This word means to be calm or not agitated.


The drop of the head as she bent over her sewing was curiously ___________.

a)

bewildered

b)

blissful

c)

luxuriate

d)

punctual

e)

tranquil

2.

This word means to act or arrive exactly at the time expected.


When the clock said ten minutes to five, she began to listen, and a few moments later, _____________ as always, she heard the tires on the gravel outside, and the car door slamming, the footsteps passing the window, the key turning in the lock.

a)

bewildered

b)

blissful

c)

luxuriate

d)

punctual

e)

tranquil

3.

This word means to be completely happy and filled with content.


For her, this was always a ___________ time of day.

a)

bewildered

b)

blissful

c)

luxuriate

d)

punctual

e)

tranquil

4.

This word means to enjoy something to excess or more than usual.


She loved to ____________ in the presence of this man, and to feel—almost as a sunbather feels the sun—that warm male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone together.

a)

bewildered

b)

blissful

c)

luxuriate

d)

punctual

e)

tranquil

5.

This word means to confused by many conflicting events or statements.


She lowered herself back slowly into the chair, watching him all the time with those large, ____________ eyes.

a)

bewildered

b)

blissful

c)

luxuriate

d)

punctual

e)

tranquil

6.

Mary Maloney is seen in the opening of the story preparing for her husband's arrival home from work. Why does Mrs. Maloney wait for him to arrive home?

a)

She has important news to give him

b)

She is worried because he is late

c)

She enjoys spending time with him

d)

She wants to cook him dinner

7.

When Mrs. Maloney notices her husband drinking more than usual, she offers him cheese and meat from the freezer. Why hasn't Mrs. Maloney made dinner already?

a)

It's Thursday and they have plans to eat out

b)

He has arrived late after she already has eaten

c)

She planned on ordering a pizza

d)

They are on a diet and are fasting

8.

What is the purpose of Dahl, the author, omitting the details and using implied meaning for what Mr. Maloney's news is to Mary Maloney?

a)

It causes the reader to imagine the news in a terrible way and create sympathy for Mary.

b)

It is not important to the story and moves the events along more quickly.

c)

It creates a sense of dramatic irony because the readers knows what the news is, but Mary does not.

d)

It's private and not appropriate to share with the reader.

9.

When Mrs. Maloney returns from the grocer, she sees her husband on the floor. Which word DOES NOT describe Mrs. Maloney’s reaction after returning from the grocer and seeing her deceased husband?

a)

Remorseful

b)

Shock

c)

Surprised

d)

Clear-minded

10.

Upon the police arriving to the scene, what action indicates that they may suspect Mrs. Maloney for the murder of her husband?

a)

They check the house for her fingerprints

b)

They never suspect her at all

c)

They leave to question Sam the grocer

d)

They tell her they are looking for the weapon

11.

When the police learn Mrs. Maloney's alibi from the grocer, they continue to question her. Why?

a)

She seems irritated

b)

She is not answering their questions

c)

They are searching for the murder weapon

d)

They know Mr. Maloney was unfaithful

12.

Based on the story's final line, what does the reader assume to be true about Mary Maloney?


"And in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle."

a)

She was driven to insanity

b)

She is happy that she will not be found guilty

c)

She is proud in her ability to manipulate the police

d)

She is evil and may kill again

13.

What is the BEST way to join these two sentences? Hint: Synonyms for "builds" are "causes" and "leads to."


Dahl does not reveal what the husband says. Dahl builds suspense around Mary's reaction.

a)

Dahl does not reveal what the husband says and builds suspense around Mary's reaction.

b)

Dahl does not reveal what the husband says, which builds suspense around Mary's reaction.

c)

Dahl does not reveal what the husband says, or builds suspense around Mary's reaction.

d)

Dahl does not reveal what the husband says, but builds suspense around Mary's reaction.

14.

What is the BEST way to join the two sentences without changing the meaning? Hint: What word could be used to join the two sentences that "adds" information?


Mary kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb. Mary roasts the frozen leg of lamb to hide the evidence.

a)

Mary kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb, but roasts it to hide the evidence.

b)

Mary kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb, so she roasts it to hide the evidence.

c)

Mary kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb and roasts the frozen leg of lamb to hide the evidence.

d)

Mary kills her husband with a frozen leg of lamb and roasts it to hide the evidence.

15.

What is the BEST way to join the two sentences without changing the meaning? Hint: What word could be used to join the two sentences that shows one event causes the other?


The story ends with Mary giggling in the other room. This emphasizes the dark humor of the moment.

a)

The story ends with Mary giggling in the other room and emphasizes the dark humor of the moment.

b)

The story ends with Mary giggling in the other room, which emphasizes the dark humor of the moment.

c)

The story ends with Mary giggling in the other room, but emphasizes the dark humor of the moment.

d)

The story ends with Mary giggling in the other room, yet emphasizes the dark humor of the moment.