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WorksheetsLamb to the Slaughter: Reading Comprehension Grade 8
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
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 betrayed her (let her down)
Why is Mary Maloney smiling while she waits for 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 the day.
She knows that he won't speak to her for a while, and she is looking forward to the peace and quiet.
She likes being able to have a drink of whiskey with him.
What was Mary's physical condition at the beginning of the story?
She was diabetic.
She was suffering with a migraine headache.
She had a really bad cold.
She was six month pregnant.
What is Mr. Maloney's job?
Minister
Butcher
Stock Broker
Police Detective
The reader can reasonably infer that Patrick Maloney informs his wife
that he was fired.
that he was leaving her.
that he was offered a promotion.
that they are moving.
Patrick tell Mary he hopes she will not fuss about his decision. How does he justify this demand?
"It wouldn't be very good for my job."
"I have given this a lot of thought."
"I'll give you money and see you are looked after."
"...there simply wasn't any other way."
Mr. Maloney can be characterized as
gentle and kind.
honorable and innocent.
disloyal and trustworthy.
totally evil.
What is Mrs. Maloney's motive for going to get the leg of lamb from the freezer?
She is nauseated at the idea of eating what she already made for dinner.
She thinks she should go about her business as usual and things will be alright.
She wants to use it to hit Patrick.
She thinks she can win Patrick back with her cooking.
What is Mrs. Maloney's reaction as her husband is giving his "news" to her?
She becomes violent immediately.
She goes from anger to horror.
She goes from horror to disbelief.
She goes from bliss to fury (anger).
What are Mary's first thoughts after killing her husband?
"Alright, so I've killed him."
"Oh dear Lord, what have I done?"
"He deserves to rot in hell."
"I must call the police."
Mary's act against her husband was premeditated?
True
False
Mary hitting Patrick with the frozen leg of lamb occurs during the
rising action
falling action
climax
resolution
The real reason that Mary goes to see Sam at the grocery store is
to obtain food for dinner.
she wants to confess to Sam.
she needs fresh air.
she needs a witness that she was out of the house when the murder was committed.
What "shocked" Mary when she returned from the grocery store?
Supper was ready.
The police were there.
The fire was out.
Patrick was dead.
How did the police officers treat Mary when they first arrived?
kindly
with suspicion
harshly
indifferently (not good or bad)
Who did the police first suspect committed the murder when they first arrived at the scene?
Mary Mahoney
the neighbors
an intruder (someone who entered the house without permission)
the grocer
What did one officer think the murder weapon was?
poison
a heavy, blunt instrument
a knife
a gun
Which of the following shows situational irony (something that happens that is the opposite of what is expected)?
The police officers go to the grocery store.
Calm, sweet Mary killed her husband.
Patrick is a police officer.
The doctor said Patrick's head was smashed.
What is part of the falling action of the story?
Patrick told Mary he was leaving her.
The officers spent hours searching the house for the weapon.
Mary pours Patrick a drink.
Mary was waiting for Patrick to come home.
Dramatic irony (when the reader knows something the characters don't) takes place when
Mary tells the detectives she would like a drink.
Mary goes to the grocery store.
The officer tells Mary that her stove is still on.
The detectives ate the leg of lamb.
