The Lottery Test Questions

tranquil

In the first paragraph of this story, the setting is described as "clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green". What kind of tone - or atmosphere - does this set for the story?

Happy

In the story, the lottery is put in the same category as "the square dances, the teenage club, the Halloween program" and other "civic activities" (lines 38-40). Based on these ideas, how do you expect the winner of the lottery to feel?

An outcome that is very different from what is expected.

Irony can best be defined as:

Contrast and Contradictions because it is unexpected that the child would willingly participate in the lottery that could result in his death.

Mr. Graves took the hand of the little boy, who came willingly with him up to the box. This excerpt is an example of which Notice & Note Signpost?

Irony

One resident of this town has survived 77 lotteries -- and remains the town's biggest supporter of the lottery. This statement about the story is an example of

Deeply

Profusely means

Sulky

Someone who speaks petulantly is

Foreshadowing

The following excerpt is an example of which rhetorical device? Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest, roundest stones.

Theme

The lottery is a ritual with no true purpose, other than that of blind allegiance to tradition. This statement is best described as

Rebelliously

What does defiantly mean?

Conformity

What human trait does Shirley Jackson criticize in this story?

dread and surprise

What phrase best describes the mood the author tries to create in the story?

It tells the farmer what to plant.

When talking about people who suggest the lottery should be given up, Old Man Warner says, "Used to be a saying about 'Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.' First thing you know, we'd all be eating stewed chickweed and acorns" (lines 197-199). What can you infer about the purpose of the lottery from these lines?

Mr. Summers scolds Tessie for being oppositional while Bill unfolds his paper to reveal his lottery selection.

Which event can best be described as the CLIMAX of the story?

The lottery is not an important tradition for the villagers.

Which inference is supported by the text?

Tessie (who ends up "winning") almost missed the start of the lottery because she was at home washing her dishes.

Which of the following is the best example of irony?

Enthusiasm and Preparation

Which two words best complete this idea: Doing something in a perfunctory way means doing it without

She knows that the result of the lottery is bad.

Why does Mrs. Hutchinson say that the lottery drawing is unfair?